I have a nice old FN stock. I'm using it on a new rifle. The checkering apears to have flat tops. I don't want to recut the checkering and lose that. What is the best way to remove 40-50 years of crime. I figure soft brass brush and a cleaner. What cleaner or other suggestions.

I would try mineral spirits or turpentine, and a soft toothbrush. First try a tiny dab of the solvent on an inconspicuous area of the stock, to make sure it doesn't dissolve your finish.

Then scrub the checkered area. After cleaning and letting the solvent evaporate, some checkering will benefit from a very light coat of new finish, a penetrating type oil finish is ideal. Brush this in with a toothbrush also, then let cure. Good luck!

Paul,

It depends on what's in the checkering. I see lots of checkering filled with thick finishes. If that's the case I use a commercial paint stripper, usually Citri-strip. I rinse it off under running water while scrubbing with an old toothbrush. Once it's dry I usually chase the checkering with a single-line cutter to scrape out any residual finish. When I refinish the checkering I thin whatever finish I'm using and apply it to the checkering with a soft toothbrush and use a rag to wipe off any that doesn't soak in.

It it's just dirt and grime, I use isopropyl alcohol and a soft toothbrush.