Finally got the finish off a Rem 788 stock only to find
impregnated oil in the tang/grip area. It's apparently from
the metal being oiled and running down when stood upright in
my Dad's gun cabinet.

I've heard that mineral spirits can eventually get it out. My
first attempt lightened it only slightly, and looks like the
oil leached into an area where previously was none.

Should I keep going with the mineral spirits, or is there
something else that can be used?

You will find that if you hold that oil soaked area of the stock over a heat source that the oil will come to the surface and you can wipe that off with your mineral spirits. What I use is acetone or alcohol. I would just keep heating and wiping. Use discretion with the heat source and particularly with the flammables around it.

pierce the cap of a clean container, like that used for lacquer thinner. fill the can about 3/4 full with water, place on stove burner. hold the oily area over the steam jet coming from the cap. the oil will bubble up and can be wiped away.

raises dents, too.

I used Acetone and Diatomaceous earth mixed into a paste,apply to the oiley area, let dry,brush off and repeat as necessary.

quote:

Originally posted by Malloy805:
I used Acetone and Diatomaceous earth mixed into a paste,apply to the oiley area, let dry,brush off and repeat as necessary.

I've used acetone and whiting (Brownell's) the same way, also heat and then whiting, both work OK.
Regards, Joe

I boil oil-soaked stocks in water with washing soda.

quote:

I used Acetone and Diatomaceous earth mixed into a paste,apply to the oiley area, let dry,brush off and repeat as necessary.

+1