Refinishing a Mauser!

[dscottw88]

Hey folks! I'm wanting to refinish my yugo m24/47 to give it a nicer lighter color and was wondering if anyone had any pics to show their Milsurp stock before and afts to give me a general idea on what to expect for my rifle.

Also, any advice on how to even start this project would be greatly appreciated. From what I understand, I can just sand the stock down a hair and than apply a coat or two of tung (is that spelled right?) oil to finish it up? Thanks for all the advice!

 

[dmftoy1]

Here's an article I found useful. (don't know if it'll help you or not)

http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/wood_cleaning_article.htm

Post some pictures of your 24/47 when you're done. I've got one and I wouldn't mind playing with it. (it's be perfect if I could get a bent bolt on it. )

 

[dscottw88]

Thanks dmftoy1! It seems we have quite a few interests in common, with the m24/47 and garands... you wouldn't happen to have a m1 carbine and saiga would you? haha

 

[Float Pilot]

Be carefull about usng sand paper. I have seen many Mausers that LOOKED refinished to the point that their value was destroyed.

You would be ammazed at just how many dents and dings you can remove using an old steam iron and a few old bathroom towels.

I am trying to find a before and after pic showing a heavy oiled and greased up Mauser stock and another with the stuff removed or partially removed.

I do have a couple before and after photos of some dnings and dents that were removed via the use of Mineral Spirits, denatured alcohol and an old steam iron.
This rifle had been de-stained and bleached out long ago and had some dents all over it. I removed the dents via the steaming method and returned the stock color to something closer to the original issue condition. (non-glossy)

Just be sure you do not end up with proud metal. (Metal sticking out of the stock when it should be under the wood line.)

 

[dmftoy1]

Thanks dmftoy1! It seems we have quite a few interests in common, with the m24/47 and garands... you wouldn't happen to have a m1 carbine and saiga would you? haha

LOL . .yeah, I got milsurpitis really bad about the middle of last summer. I've got the M1 Carbine but no Saiga . ..I do have a K98, and a couple of Mosins though.

The Garand got shot extensively today in a vintage match. It did it's part admirably . .the guy behind the gun not so much.

 

[Cmdr. Gravez0r]

Don't do anythign to that Yugo you might go to Purgatory for.

 

[dscottw88]

No no, not trying to get any dents out, there aren't many at all as it is. I just would like to touch it up a bit. same stock, just a little lighter in color. Anybody have a link to a step by step directions on how I would go about doing that?

 

[kcw12]

Heard is what i did with a Mosin my friend some how didnt follow in instructions on using carb cleaner to clean a bore. (didnt follow the first setup Take the gun completely apart)

I finished stripping it with brake and carb cleaner
cleaned it real well with rubbing alcohol
let it dry really good.

Got the tru oil out and went to town. Im on coat 3 now on it.

How I apply tru oil

Get tru oil bottle and open
Stick finger in it
put now tru oil converted fingers on stock, and rub
repeat process until there is a coat of tru oil on the stock(dont go thick)
Cuss while washing hands (use carb cleaner or brake cleaner it gets the sticky off)
Wait till it drys completely (day or two)
Hit with 0000 steel wood
Clean with lint free cloth with alcohol
let dry again (10 minutes)
apply another coat
repeat, until you get the desired number of quotes

Im about to strip another mosin and a fox sterlingworth. and refinsih those.

And if you do sand, go with the grain, the fox has been refinished by someone who didnt know that.

 

[GarandOwner]

On my 1903 stock I used regular stain remover which took off all the oil and stain and got the wood back to its natural color, then I applied the color minwax stain I wanted, once that was dry I rubbed on 3 coats of Tung oil. What I have is a nice "eggshell" smooth finish all over the file and couldnt be happier. Or if you want a more "military" look, just use regular stain remover, and once the stock dries for a few days after rub on some tung oil.

 

[Dionysusigma]

Same process used for an 03A3 here, but I used (maybe) 2-3 coats of BLO, and it looks purty.

 

[transformerguru]

kcw12 you forgot in your instructions to put the lid back on the bottle of tru oil when done with each coat

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Also remember to store your tru-oil upside down to prevent that nasty film from forming.