Grip Cleaning Question.
 

I read before were Murphys soap can be used to clean up wood grips. My question is do you hurt the value by doing so. I have a minty 1936 S/42 all matching with spare mag and tool. The grips are a litle dark...dirty and some oil stains.
What do you think?

I think that is a call you have to make. I personally do not think that it will hurt the value, others think that it will destroy some of the 'history' of the Luger. I have had good results by just taking them to the sink and using hot water and 409, or something similar, and a stiff tooth brush and scrubbing them real good works great. If they are loose fitting I have also soaked them in hot water in a bowl, holding them down with a cup for a couple of hours. Eventually they will dry out again and the fit will become loose as it was before. If they get a 'greyish' color after they are completely dry a little linseed oil scrubbed in with that tooth brush brings back the color. Lets see what some of the other guys say, my method may seem radical to some but it works.

I agree, use Herbs toothbrush :D

A light cleaning can never hurt, but unless nasty, I usually leave well enough alone.

Ed

These are in the light cleaning category one has some oil staining. They look fine but could use a little improvement.More concerned on messing the value up.Its a real nice rig.Thanks for the replys.

Trapshooter! Don't do it! Although I respect the opinions of the other members... my basic feeling is that a gun that has the grips cleaned, also would be suspect of other alterations if you someday wish to realize a maximum return on your unit! Collectors look for red flags, and freshened up parts is one of them.... best of luck to you, in any event! til...lat'r....GT

In any event, please do not use water on the grips. A safe way to clean them is to take them off the pistol and scrub them with a toothbrush and Clenzoil. Let the Clenzoil soak in after cleaning, to preserve the grips and prevent cracking. The result will be cleaner but not 'stripped' wood that still looks it's age. In fact, Clenzoil is the perfect CLP for any old gun, including the Luger.

I have come to believe that the Murphy soap cleaning is probably NOT the best idea as the water can soften the checkering and then you scrub it with a brush which can tend to crush the tops. I trust all my cleaning and recheckering to Hugh Clark now. I think he cleans them and drys them before he recheckers, I dont know what method he uses for cleaning.

Thanks for all in the input.I think I'll just leave them as is...