Help with Ballistol

[Nobody85]

I’ve been using Ballistol for years to clean muzzleloaders. Before I became aquatinted with it, I used hot soapy water like everyone else used to. It’s worked great for me until just recently. I just received a new fowler. After the first cleaning session I noticed that my hands were covered with the stain from the stock after rubbing it down with Ballistol. I’ve never had this happen before on any other muzzleloaders I’ve had. When I emailed the builder they said that Ballistol was never intended for use with traditional gun stocks…. They said that it is only ok to use on poly based finishes. I’ve used it before on other flintlocks they’ve built and never had a problem. Anyone out there ever had this problem?

 

[woodsnwater]

What finish was used on the fowler?

 

[Nobody85]

I don’t know. She said it was a traditional finish. It was made by TVM, so whatever they use. I’ve used it on other builds of theirs and never had a problem. I just read on Ballistols material handling sheet that caution should be used on antique furniture as it may degrade the finish. I really like using Ballistol mixed with water to clean because after the water evaporates it leaves the oily residue that protects.

 

[Nobody85]

It might be a linseed oil based but I don’t know.

 

[Nobody85]

Just checked, and even olive oil takes the stain off.

 

[TDM]

Just checked, and even olive oil takes the stain off.

Yeah, I don't think the Ballistol is causing the problem.

 

[Nobody85]

It might have been finished with true oil. I might try and wax it to keep it from coming off.

 

[deerstalkert]

every so often some bureaucrat in the epa wants to make his/her mark on the world and forces a change in formulation of paints, stains, baby formula, whatever comes to their attention.
i have had to watch carefully the stain/finish i use for that reason.
i have a Pedersoli that any mineral spirit, alcohol, or even some lubes will shed its stain just as yours is doing.
try ballistol without water in an inconspicuous place. or wax it down with Rennaissance wax. carefully. even wax ma draw the stain.
best of luck

 

[Nobody85]

Yeh, undiluted takes it off as well. I’ll try waxing it. Might try a natural wax though, as some wax has a petroleum smell to it that I know will diminish it.

 

[toot]

Just checked, and even olive oil takes the stain off.

that stain on the gun isn't any good at all. maybe even water will mess iytup?

 

[Nobody85]

They said even water will take it off. They said it has to have a coat of wax on the stock during cleaning. It’s on their web page. I don’t think I’ll use True Oil on anything I make though…

 

[jackpine54]

I've always used Johnson's paste wax on my TVM stocks. Other than the first few cleanings I have never had any "color" on my cleaning cloth.

 

[1BadDart]

I like Minwax Satin Wipe on Poly on my stocks.

 

[DuncNZ]

When Ballistol was invented most if not all Military gunstocks were finished with a linseed based oil of one type or another , Japan the exception , used Tung oil

 

[Robby]

Maybe they forgot to put a finish over the stain. Hic, bad day in the shop, Hic.
Robby

 

[French Colonial]

They said even water will take it off. They said it has to have a coat of wax on the stock during cleaning. It’s on their web page. I don’t think I’ll use True Oil on anything I make though…

If even water will take it off I think I would do a refinish job.

Imagine the mess you would have if your out in the woods and get caught in a shower.

 

[SOLANCO]

They said even water will take it off. They said it has to have a coat of wax on the stock during cleaning. It’s on their web page. I don’t think I’ll use True Oil on anything I make though…

A water soluble gun stock finish is an absurdity.

 

[Art Caputo]

I have noticed that the stain on a couple of my “red” finished TVM’s did not seem to have a a top layer of a sealer/oil applied over “some” of the stain coloration. evidenced by a reddish coloration when wiped down with a lube-saturated cloth. It appeared a stain was applied “after” the sealer for darkening purposes. After rubbing the stock down with fine Scotch-Brite with a bit of TOTW Traditional Oil, and a thorough wipe down, I applied a couple of coats of the same oil, and allowed it to dry. This stopped the dye from leaching, and slightly lightened the reddish color to what was IMO, a more appealing color tone and a surface that was well protected from lubricants with no color leaching….

 

[waksupi]

I’ve been using Ballistol for years to clean muzzleloaders. Before I became aquatinted with it, I used hot soapy water like everyone else used to. It’s worked great for me until just recently. I just received a new fowler. After the first cleaning session I noticed that my hands were covered with the stain from the stock after rubbing it down with Ballistol. I’ve never had this happen before on any other muzzleloaders I’ve had. When I emailed the builder they said that Ballistol was never intended for use with traditional gun stocks…. They said that itood is only ok to use on poly based finishes. I’ve used it before on other flintlocks they’ve built and never had a problem. Anyone out there ever had this problem?

He's full of crap. Ballistol was developed to be used on metal, wood, wounds, hair dressing, you can even drink it.

https://www.ballistol-shop.de/History-of-Ballistol:_:86.html

 

[Whughett]

They said even water will take it off. They said it has to have a coat of wax on the stock during cleaning. It’s on their web page. I don’t think I’ll use True Oil on anything I make though…

Sounds like a water based aniline dye and not a stain. Sweaty hands would rub it off. Needs a top coat of a water resistance finish.