Lehigh Valley safe for gun finishes?

[Robert Wolfe]

Has anyone had trouble with Lehigh Valley taking the finish off a gun? I used it for the first time this weekend as a patch lubricant and in clean up on a gun I recently finished for my daughter (see builder's forum).

As I was rubbing down the stock I noticed that the finish had been removed for about 1/4 of an inch down from the muzzle cap and the finish was affected for another 1/4 inch. I cleaned up with warm water and a little soap so I don't think that was it. The only thing I did different from usual was use the Lehigh Valley, so that makes me suspicious.

The finish is 5 coats of Chamber's Oil Finish followed with Goddard's Cabinet Makers Wax. I have had the bottle of Lehigh for several years but had never used it. It is the version put out by Lestom Laboratories and says it is safe for wood. If not the LV, then what stripped the finish?

[Daryl]

I've been using LHV for about 3 years now and haven't had any finish problems - my finish is cured True Oil - no wax.

[Mad Monk]

Bob,

Look at the label on the back of the lube bottle.  Does it say that it was made by Ox-Yoke???

E. Ogre

[Robert Wolfe]

I know is said Lestom Laboratories, Inc and but don't know if it said Ox-Yoke on it. I'll check tonite at home.

[Darkhorse]

Lestum labs is the good stuff and it has never affected any of my wood. I'd say something else is going on here.
BTW where and when did you buy your LHV?

[Robert Wolfe]

I think I bought it from TOW but I suppose it could have been Dixie. It is an old bottle, several years old anyway, but I had just never gotten around to trying it. So, no, I don't have a source for you!

[Mad Monk]

The stuff that Tom made at Lestom Labs was almost neutral.  The alcohol in it could dull the surface of my boiled oil finish on the rifle but would not harm it.

Then when Ox-Yoke took it over the pH of the lube jumped up to around 11.0 due to an excess of caustic in it.  This would start to strip the boiled oil finish off my stocks.

E. Ogre