I have a few old shotguns that need a little TLC, the metal parts I think I can handle with some oil and 0000 steel wool, however the wood I'm not so sure about.
I do not want to refinish them if I can avoid it, so any good ideas on just giving the finished wood a good cleaning without messing with the said finish?

My novice opinion is to just stay away from soap and any heat as in steam or hot tap water. My experience has been that both will wash out the finish. Next time I'm going to try a ten minute soak of some olive oil and a scrub with a fine bristle vegetable brush followed by a rub down with a terry cloth towel. Oil soaks up a lot of dirt without harming the finish. We used to clean up engine compartments with oil. It worked quite well. So, it might be worth a try. Good luck.

I have used Hoppes #9 and scrubbing very lightly with 0000 steel wool, wiping off with a paper towel as I went.

http://kottonklenser.com/ I bought one of these kits originaly designed for cleaning antique clocks. Have cleaned several 150 year old guns and is one product that I can say has exceeded my expectations, good stuff. Just follow the directions included with the kit.
m4220

Gentle rubbing with thinned linseed oil on paper towels will get a lot of grime off. Even dish soap and warm water shouldn't harm an old finish, if done gently, and not left on longer that 5 minutes. Toothbrush for checkering, dry immediately. Flaked varnish finishes will not work well with the oil treatment. Just water with a few drops of detergent is the safest.

Thanks for the info guys!!

James, over on Double Gun Shop in the classic rifle section, Michael Petrov talks about using raw linseed oil for cleaning the stocks on the classics he collects. I've tried it once and it does a good job. He rubs it off and there is a current thread where he is blending in some of the finish on a new acquisition as he cleans it. Good before and after pictures.

quote:

http://kottonklenser.com/ I bought one of these kits originaly designed for cleaning antique clocks. Have cleaned several 150 year old guns and is one product that I can say has exceeded my expectations, good stuff. Just follow the directions included with the kit.

+1

I use furniture polish cleaner, it works as well as anything..but cleaning up an old stock is second to refinishing it back to original, being sure to use the same finish..I have restored many old worn out H&H, Rigby, and Wesley Richards rifles to original.