Removing rubber(?) cement from stock cracks

[DJ]

I recently acquired a civil-war era musket-converted-to-breechloader.  I got a fair price on it as the stock had some cracks/repairs/new cracks.  In getting ready to restore it I find that most of the old repairs were done with something that appears to be rubber cement.  It is a light amber in color, flexible, and is forced deeply into the repaired cracks.  It also seems to be pretty old, as it is crumbling and losing its adhesion.  

Does anyone know of a good way to remove this stuff?  Is there a solvent that won't strip the finish?  So far I've been picking it out with a dental pick, but can't reach in far enough to get all of it and the crumbs tend to hold the crack open too far.

--DJ

[Delmonico]

I recently acquired a civil-war era musket-converted-to-breechloader.  I got a fair price on it as the stock had some cracks/repairs/new cracks.  In getting ready to restore it I find that most of the old repairs were done with something that appears to be rubber cement.  It is a light amber in color, flexible, and is forced deeply into the repaired cracks.  It also seems to be pretty old, as it is crumbling and losing its adhesion.  

Does anyone know of a good way to remove this stuff?  Is there a solvent that won't strip the finish?  So far I've been picking it out with a dental pick, but can't reach in far enough to get all of it and the crumbs tend to hold the crack open too far.

--DJ

I'm not sure on the rubber cement, but what have you got exactly?  Do you have a picture?

[DJ]

It's a Roberts Conversion of a 2-band .58 Enfield.  The stocks are notorious for cracking/breaking in two at the breech because so much wood is removed for the conversion parts.  This one also may have spent some time in some kind of theatrical role, which would seem risky to its condition as well.  I'll try to get some photos up for the curious.

As to the problem, the stock seems to be deeply and extensively cracked, but not completely broken in two, so before I snap it in half, clean it, and acraglas it back together, I'm trying to see if I can get the cracks cleaned out and then just pump the acraglas in.

[rickk]

Take some of the pieces that you have pulled out and see what they will dissolve in.

Some grades of Freon work well on rubber, but good luck finding it.

I doubt the rubber will actually dissolve in anything, at least anything that you want to be anywhere near, but some solvents will cause it to swell, become slippery, and be easier to peel loose.

[Virginia Gentleman]

Try MEK available at Lowes and HD or even goof off, it may take it off well.  Let us know how it works out.