A Question On Stock Finishes

[Halwg]

I have 2 guns, A Ruger M-77 and a Remington 760 that have glossy finishes on the stocks. Both of these guns were bought new in the 70's and came from the factory with these finishes. Both of the finishes are still in excellent shape with no peeling, cracking, or chipping.

My question is this: Is there anything I can use on these glossy finishes to make them more of a satin look? Since the finishes are in good shape, I really don't want to strip and refinish the stocks. I just want to knock some of the gloss off and give them a more modern look.

 

[aka108]

A good rub down with very fine steel wool should knock down some of the shine.

 

[JWarren]

I personally like satin finish in stocks over glossy as well.

The only answer is stripping them. Remove the stocks, and coat them with Dad's stripper (I find that it works GREAT.) Let it set for a few and wash it off.

Without letting the stocks get in direct sunlight, let them dry. Now you can stain and seal as you'd like.

I did one a bit back where I stained with Walnut stain, and sealed with several coats of Satin Polyeurathane in a spray can I got from Walmart. Just make LIGHT coats. The rifle turned out excellent.

I went another route with my Ruger 10/22. I stripped it same as above. However, this time I rubbed it with a Linseed oil compound that I got at walmart. It is called Tru-oil Gun stock finish.

With that, you rub in a coat and let it dry. Then go over it with a fine steel wool. Rinse and repeat. I did that until the bottle was gone on the ruger 10/22 (8 coats).

It came out with a satin slightly-darker-than-natural finish. However, this finish penetrates the wood, offering more protection than the re-finish mentioned first. I am VERY happy with how it came out. And I find it easier than the polyeurathine route-- and with less chances of screwing up.

Hope that helps!

-- John

 

[Seafarer12]

0000 steel wool would take some of the shine off them.

 

[dclevinger]

I like Brownell's "Triple F" stock rubbing compound. I use it all the time to even out new finishes as well as cleaning up old ones. It's part #083-128-302

David
www.dcengraving.com