Need tips on re-finishing a gun stock.

I don't think there is much you can do for big gouges. Options include finding a take-off stock for sale or buying an aftermarket product. You can get SKS stocks from Tapco among others.

Got any pics of the gouges? If not too deep, I would try to steam them out. What you do is take a wet wash cloth or something similar, and place it against the gouge and apply an iron to it. The iron forces steam into the wood fibers which expand, causing not too deep gouges to pretty much disappear. Note, this will remove the finish where this is done, so figure on refinishing the entire stock. BTW, I sell a stain made expressly for service rifles.

Don

Think I'd remove all the metal parts from the stock. Get a good finish remover and slop it on the wood. Scrape off the old finish with a putty knife or similar. Get some soap impregnated steel wool pad like SOS and work it all over the stock with hot water. This will get a lot of the dimples and dents out. Let it dry well and sand it smooth. Get a oil based stain like walnut and apply. Wipe the stained stock down with a piece of old towel before the stain dries. If the color is decent great. Apply more stain if you want it a bit darker and if the wood will take it. Once the stain has dried try some satin finish tung oil for the final finish. Just follow the instructions on the container. My SKS came with a garrish red stain applied by a straw broom or equivalent. Once refinished the wood underneath was fairly decent looking. Good luck on your project.

Your going to have to strip the stock.
A good stripper,and a scrapper will work fine,but "easy-off" cleaner will
work also.
Once the finish is removed use a damp wash cloth and a clothes iron and
work on your dings and gouges. Then color and finish as you wish.
BLO is nice,but does take time to apply,but worth the work when your done.

If you have to refinish the stock, the easiest way to strip the factory finish on the SKS is to use lacquer thinner and a rag. Wet the rag and wipe the stock. The finish will rub off without any scrubbing. It's a lot easier than using any type of stripper and scraping the stock.

If all numbers match, I would leave it alone.

See if you can pick up a cheap replacement stock and refinish that one. I found one locally for $7 and refinished it.

http://s931.photobucket.com/albums/...ilitary rifles/?action=view&current=003-2.jpg

http://s931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/Handgunner357/Military rifles/?action=view&current=002.jpg

Yep, those don't look too bad. Steam them out.

Don

90% of those will rise out with steam or hot water after the stock is stripped. No need to buy a replacement stock.