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Removing damp smell
Posted: Tue May 01, 2018 6:19 pm
by Lancs_Oakley
I acquired a used rifle at the weekend. The owner passed away a while ago and the rifle has been stored for a while I guess.
It smells of damp pretty bad, I have treated the stock with wood silk which I used on my shotguns in the hope it might help... its not.
Any suggestions? I want to avoid the smell getting on my other firearms so looking for some simple and quick home remedy... and no a magic tree in the safe is not an option :)
Re: Removing damp smell
Posted: Tue May 01, 2018 6:32 pm
by WelshShooter
How about a wipe over using a cloth, parden the pun, "damped" with IPA or methylated spirits? Should clear off a layer of film/grime giving some of the smell.
Giving them a good airing is easier said than done, but I guess it's mostly the wood that has the smell. For the metal, you can at least clean that with oil or bore cleaner to help mask the smell.
The wood will be a bit more difficult, as some of the smell may have seeped into the wood.
Re: Removing damp smell
Posted: Tue May 01, 2018 6:34 pm
by Gh0st
Re: Removing damp smell
Posted: Tue May 01, 2018 9:38 pm
by Dark Skies
You could stand it upright on a tray with bicarbonate of soda (baking powder) and a large bin liner over it - that often works. Tuck the bag under the tray to seal it all off.
Re: Removing damp smell
Posted: Tue May 01, 2018 9:47 pm
by hitchphil
Bleach solution kills fungus & bacteria penicillin based fungus that smell of damp or PVA glue or wall paper paste...then clean & treat the surface,.
Re: Removing damp smell
Posted: Tue May 01, 2018 9:53 pm
by Lancs_Oakley
Removed the stock now, wiped down with alcohol to remove the wax and leaving it out overnight to air and will look to try a 1:10 bleach solution for starters. Will report back!
Re: Removing damp smell
Posted: Thu May 03, 2018 4:50 pm
by meles meles
Maybe you could sell it to Froggy ? Amphibians like damp...
Re: Removing damp smell
Posted: Fri May 04, 2018 6:24 pm
by Lancs_Oakley
Good progress... smell reduced 80% I would say. The bleach solution did the trick. Also had a few hours in the sun today.
Going to do a second treatment of bleach over the weekend and then treat with ballistol which gets good reviews.
I reckon that will do it.
Re: Removing damp smell
Posted: Sat May 05, 2018 4:53 am
by dromia
If you didn't like it smelling damp you won't like it smelling of Ballistol, it stinks of blocked drains.
Youngs 303 does exactly the same as ballistol but smells loads better.
Re: Removing damp smell
Posted: Sat May 05, 2018 9:11 am
by glevum
I would try wiping the stock over with white spirit.
It is very good at killing mould.