Cleaning/restoring synthetic stock

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The30oz

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Looking for any tips or tricks to cleaning or restoring a synthetic stock. Its a ruger pc-40 stock (black) that was issued to a police department.

1. I'm not painting it
2. I really cant afford to screw it up
3. There is no "just buy a new one"

I've heard (and did) wipe it down with mild soap (dial dish soap) and water which helped a little. I think my next move might be shoe polish but I'm not so sure as I've never touched the stuff. Im also avoiding 'car care' products because some have more negative effects than positive.

Any help is appreciated.
 
Phauxtoe

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Try your favorite gun oil,
its gonna get wet with it anyway!

I got some Old Pachmyr grips for my 686. they were inexpensive and Grey looking.
I rubbed them down with CLP and damn if they didn't look new!

do a test patch somewhere!
 
Day444

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How much time do you want to invest? You could sand it down, start with 320 and work your way down to say 800 or 1000 wet.
You could use light buffing compound (white auto stuff washes off).
 
Shadow2

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Im assuming it may be dis colored. Depending on the plastic you may be able to dye it, do a search on you tube for dyeing PMAGS. I don't see black on black dye hurting anything.
 
Bushmaster

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When all else fails? to not care anymore? Use BLACK RIT DYE with soap heated. Tire shine armor-all looks good for few days LOL...
 
Glenn B

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The30oz said:
Looking for any tips or tricks to cleaning or restoring a synthetic stock. Its a ruger pc-40 stock (black) that was issued to a police department.

1. I'm not painting it
2. I really cant afford to screw it up
3. There is no "just buy a new one"

I've heard (and did) wipe it down with mild soap (dial dish soap) and water which helped a little. I think my next move might be shoe polish but I'm not so sure as I've never touched the stuff. Im also avoiding 'car care' products because some have more negative effects than positive.

Any help is appreciated.
Click to expand...
Well first give a clue as to what it is made from before expecting someone to tell you how to restore it. I know you said I is a Ruger PC-40 stock but maybe someone with restoration knowledge does not know what material it is made from. My guess is someone may know how to do it so long as they know what material it is you want to restore. Synthetic could be rubber, nylon based, glass based (as in fiberglass), polymer or whatever else is not natural. I am not saying it will be me to help, probably will not ne me, but at least give somebody (who may know how to do it) a clue as to what material is being restored.
 
Glenn B

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One other thing, what about it needs to be restored? s it just dirty and scuffed or scratched or is it cracked, crazing, or otherwise damaged?
 
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The30oz

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I wanna say the stock is somewhere between fiberglass and a hard plastic. Definitely not any kind of rubber or soft material. Also what ever its made of is black through and through.

As to whats wrong with it... to me it looks very dull in some areas more than others and 'weathered' all over if thats the right word. There are some small kincks and slight scratches through out it which I know wont come out but I'm kinda hoping would be less noticable.

I did just try clp and it kinda sorta helped. Might try car compound next though.

And thanks for the replies.

20161209_235055.jpg
 
Shadow2

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Scratches will need to be sanded out. There was a video on YouTube I didn't grab the link, somone used a heat gun to restore a plastic car mirror, it looked pretty good, some sanding and carful circular motions with a heat gun may level it out for you.

Dyeing "may" take care of the weather look if the composite has become chalky, it all depends on the material.


The30oz said:
I wanna say the stock is somewhere between fiberglass and a hard plastic. Definitely not any kind of rubber or soft material. Also what ever its made of is black through and through.

As to whats wrong with it... to me it looks very dull in some areas more than others and 'weathered' all over if thats the right word. There are some small kincks and slight scratches through out it which I know wont come out but I'm kinda hoping would be less noticable.

I did just try clp and it kinda sorta helped. Might try car compound next though.

And thanks for the replies.

View attachment 4621
Click to expand...
 
Day444

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Ditto on the sanding! Anything liquid applied will still show the nicks, dents, scratches. I've sanded a Ruger 10/22 "plastic" stock, took awhile and I went down to 1800 wet. Go lightly and keep the sanding strokes all in one direction. An (some types of) automotive lacquer or an epoxy based paint can be used to put a new finish on the stock.
 
Podmonkey

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It's an ex police carbine not a parade rifle. As long as it's clean just enjoy the hard duty patina I say.
 
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