A freind at work is refinishing an pre-64 stock. He has the stock stripped down to bare wood but it has some water damage from hunting in the rain after a lot of the finish was worn off. He say's it looks like a mold stain. Is there any fix to pull these stains out? I didn't know of any so I thought I would run it past you guy's and see.

Thanks,
Terry

Go to a Lumber store. There is some stain remover stuff for water stain and blackish mold/mildew, used for finish sideing etc before its varnished. Ive used it, works good. Its a clear liquid you apply let set and hose off

Are you sure? that sounds too easy

Thanks!

diluted bleach i think a 50/50 mixture.

Try a simple wash with Oxyclean. Surprisingly effective on a lot of wood staining including black from rusted screws and butt plates. If that fails the next step is a saturated solution of oxalic acid crystals. Or, as mentioned the commercial wood bleach products.

Terry

I have had very good luck on both gunstocks and furniture using a solution of water and Oxalic Acid crystals. You can get these from most drug stores. Just mix the crystals in warm water and apply over the stained area with a rag. As the moisture dries it will gradually pull out the stain. Sometimes multiple applications are needed. The only downside is it does raise the grain which to me isn't a big deal.

You can try any of the stuff mentioned above, but if oxalic acid doesn't do it, I think you might be out of options. Good luck, let us know what works.

The "Stuff"

http://www.hoodfinishing.com/wood_toners.htm

Cabot wood brightener will remove the spot AND return the wood to as new condition. Make positve to neutralize it with Cabot wood cleaner.

First you need to kill the mold . 20-50% water bleach mixture will do it . Now you need to dry the stock out , Low heat oven for a short time then turn off let set inside over night ( With the oven closed and off !.) Next break the surface of the wood with what ever grit abrasion material you feel is appropriate . Now use oxalic acid any commercial deck cleaner uses it , simply follow the directions on the container .
Rinse with a neutralizer then clean rinse followed by Acetone or lacquer thinner wipe .
This removes any surface water in the wood !.

Shoot Straight Know Your Target . ...

Terry,
It sounds like this was from water that had gotten under the finish and allowed to stay there.
In the future if you are anyone reading this get white water stains under your finish, wipe the stock with Ever Clear from your liquor store. The water under the finish will evaporate.
I hate hearing stories about people stripping the finish off a stock because it got water under it.

This also works great on Furniture and glass rings as well.

Note: Try the Ever Clear on a small area first and make sure it does not damage your finish.
That said, i have never known it to damage a finish of any kind.

I do several mold remediation jobs per year with my work. You don't need to kill the mold you need to remove it.

As has been suggested bleach does a great job though you need nowhere the ratio that has been suggested. We use 1 to 1.5 ounces per gallon of water.