[hiredhand]

I would have never thought of oven cleaner! We did have some, but it didn't cross my mind. We don't have any Simple Green right now, but I do know that it's good stuff! For now, these things are clean, dry (well oiled!), and serviceable, and we've put them in a better place than where somebody can leave a window open and let them get rained on! The next time we remove them for inspection, I might try your suggestions to totally remove the grease though.

Also..in retrospect, I "think" the gunk was a result of grease weeping from heat (the storage area was HOT) and then the rain ...thus producing the greasy gunk.

[Squantos]

We used to clean our 40mm’s barrels , M79’s M203’s M148’s etc with pinesol !! Best powder cutter out there !

A gallon of simple green at the big box stores is a dollar !

Great degreaser.....dunk and brush dunk and brush ! Let set in dunk bucket and repeat !

[Eaker]

Looks like you already have some great answers!

Cool!

[kitchen]

Also..in retrospect, I "think" the gunk was a result of grease weeping from heat (the storage area was HOT) and then the rain ...thus producing the greasy gunk.

The mildest removal process: remove the action and furniture, wrap the wood in absorbent paper - like kleenex or toilet paper - and then wrap in foil. Set it out in the sun where it can slow cook for a day. Remove the paper and repeat as needed. Oxalic acid (read the MSDS first!) will take off gun oil, linseed, stain, and fillers. Use sparingly.