Newbie Refinishing Stock

[kis2]

hey all,

So I'm looking at refinishing my first stock. From what I've been reading, it seems like most people suggest a chemical peeler to get the current (and old) finish off the wood, then using a damp rag and iron to get out any minor imperfections, followed by sand paper, and then oil.

is that the jist of it? if so, my questions are : what do you use as a chemical for stripping it down?, do you sand with the grain or in small circles?, what kind and how do you apply the oil?

I'm trying to lighten the stock a bit, not blonde by any means, but a natural matte finish is what i'm after.... any suggestions? again, this is my first, so use small words

thanks for the help

(below is a partial pic of a stock... its a good example of the color i want, but i'm set on a matte finish, thought it might help)

 

[lipadj46]

Easy Off works well as a stripper:

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/edu60.htm

 

[cuervo]

http://www.fulton-armory.com/StockSave.htm

 

[Olympus]

As far as stripping, go to Lowes or Home Depot in the stain and varnish section and get some stripper. I like the gel because it's less messy. If you're in a hurry, get the more powerful stuff and it will strip in about 15 minutes. If you've got a lot of gunk like on an old Mosin, then it may take more than one coat. Be sure to put some cardboard down so you don't make a mess.

Getting a lighter color will depend on the type of wood. Walnut will be darker than birch or maple. Once you've stripped it, go over it with some 220 sandpaper. GO WITH THE GRAIN, NOT IN CIRLCES! The color of the sanded wood is about the lightest you'll get the stock. As for finish, I like Tru-Oil but tung oil is almost the same and it's cheaper. Rub a little on the sanded stock and see what you think of the color. The oils will darken the wood a little themselves. If you like the color then finish rubbing. If it's still too light then look into some stains.

Both Tru-Oil and tung oil will give you a matte finish. Take some 0000 steel wool and lightly rub after the coat has dried. The more coats, the glossier it will be. Keep applying coats and buffing with the wool until you reach the desired finish.

It's a pretty easy and straightforward process.

 

[tunnug]

Olympus is right on, but I would add to also use the finish inside the stock where the action sits, you don't want to leave exposed raw wood to suck moisture, one coat should do the trick.

 

[Olympus]

Good point!

That's assuming that he sands the inside of the stock. I usually don't mess with it unless it's in really poor shape. Whatever finish was used inside there, I just leave it be. When people check out the finish of your rifle, most of them don't unscrew the action and look at the inletting. It will be fine like it is unless you're wanting to do any kind of bedding.