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Thread: Moldy Stock
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April 3rd, 2021, 04:24 PM #1
Moldy Stock
I have an old gun that belonged to my grandfather. It has a a synthetic/bakelite type stock and handguard/foregrip (it's from the early 1940s), and it had quite a bit of moldy-looking white scuzz on it. Reeks to high heaven too. Just gross. It was in my grandfather's very humid basement for 10 years after he died. I've tried spraying and scrubbing with some bleach water, and it seems better for a few days or a week, then starts coming back. Any suggestions?
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April 3rd, 2021, 04:48 PM #2
Re: Moldy Stock
Scrubbing Bubbles shower cleaner does a great job on mold/mildew. Doesn't harm fiberglass tubs or plastic wall coverings.
I don't speak English , I talk American!
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April 3rd, 2021, 05:02 PM #3
Re: Moldy Stock
It may not be mold, but the plastic itself deteriorating due to moisture. It's an acetate plastic that's unstable chemically in humidity and forms a white powdery deposit and emits a pungent vinegar-like odor (acetic acid).
There is nothing you can do to stop or reverse the effect. Oven drying won't help, and exposure to sunlight will deteriorate the plastic from UV rays. You might slow the progression down by having a Cerakote applicator bead blast the plastic to remove the white powder, then coat with Cerakote. It might buy you a couple-few decades if you keep it extremely dry and moisture-free. No guarantees.
NoahWisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times.
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April 3rd, 2021, 06:15 PM #4
Re: Moldy Stock
I agree with Noah on the plastic itself is deteriorating and doing a Cerakote temporary job, but I would seriously consider just restocking it. Some more info (make, model, caliber, etc. (the more the better) might help us give better advice on what you might want to do. If it's an heirloom you want to keep and shoot, restocking might be the best way to go. If it something you want to sell, then restocking probably would make it an easier sell.
Ron USAF Ret E-8 FFL01/SOT3 NRA Benefactor Member
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April 3rd, 2021, 06:18 PM #5
Re: Moldy Stock
Thanks both of you for the information and suggestions. I haven't had it out in months, I banished it to a dark closet a year ago because it grossed me out. Took it out today after posting, and white scuzzy stuff is still there, but the smell is not nearly as pungent as I remember it. I'll have to figure out WTH to do with the stock while I keep working on fixing the action, which is in sad shape as well.
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April 3rd, 2021, 06:28 PM #6
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April 3rd, 2021, 06:56 PM #7Grand Member
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April 3rd, 2021, 06:56 PM #8
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April 3rd, 2021, 07:20 PM #9Grand Member
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April 3rd, 2021, 07:27 PM #10
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