gunstock finish

[alleng]

ok guys,im refinishing a rifle stock. i have stripped it,sanded and stained it.now what to top coat it with:eusa_thin, spray on lacquer whould look good and be easy,as would spray on polyureathane,but would they be durable.i thought id go to the experts on this before i took the easy way out.any ideas or advice would be appreciated.

 

[alleng]

I do use the gun on a regular basis, it's about 15 years old. As for the wood, I'm not sure but I think it's walnut. I used minwax stain.

 

[BumoutBob]

When my father refinished stocks back in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, he used Birchwood Casey Tru-oil stock finish. It was supplied in a little bottle and you just rubbed it on. Rub down with 0000 steel wool between coats. use 4-5 coats. One a night for a week. When done, apply a good carnoba wax. follow this link: www.birchwoodcasey.com $6.10 a 3 oz bottle.

 

[toolferone]

This is really good stuff!

(clic the pic for more info)

 

[Jonz]

I've only done it a couple times but used Tru-oil. I would think lacquer would not be a good finish. It's hard and would probably eventually craze from the extreme temperature changes and rifle normally goes through.

 

[alleng]

thanks guys,ill pick up some today.

 

[Travis Porter]

Not contradicting anything that has been said (as I am clueless), but I am curious. How or what is different with the Birchwood Casey or tru oil say compared to a penetrating finish like BLO or Tung oil or a mix of say blo and varnish?

 

[BumoutBob]

True Oil was easy to use and only $1.00 a bottle----for awhile. It also has a proven record of performance(40 years or so). It would do a nice job for anybody and a good woodworker could make it look first class.
It's a wipe on varnish of some kind that's for sure, and a tung oil mix would do the same job. An experienced finisher would easily make the right mix for the job, but there is so much mechanical work on a stock that the usual stockmaker might spend more time on fit and checkering and go the easy route by using a premade finish.

 

[alleng]

i am using the tur oil,6 coats so far trying to fill all the grain. i was surprised to see what a beautiful finish this stuff makes, however it is very shiney,i was going for more of a satin look.is there a method of acheiving this after the final coat dries?

 

[DaveO]

You could rub out the sheen some with some steel wool or a Scotch-brite pad. A good paste wax will also make the sheen a little more satin, if you don't overly buff it.
Dave