duracote clear on a wood stock???

[MISportsman]

I am putting together a mosin nagant sporter for my daughter's first hunting rifle and it has a.beautiful red stained stock. I was originally going to put an aftermarket stock on, but as nice as the original is I am thinking of working with it. We hunt a lot in wet and or snowy weather and I would like to protect the wood. What are you guys thoughts about coating the stock with duracote clear (clear so the original finish can still be seen)???

 

[LoonWulf]

I wouldnt bother. If you want an easier finish than oil rubbed, plain spar varnish is what id use....im not sure duracoat clear would actually stick well to raw wood.

My personal experience is that a stock with its pores sealed by oil rub will do better in moist conditions than a coated stock, especially over time where the stock gets nicks and dings, as its easier to fix and the oil penetrates rather than sits on top.

The downside is that it can be a real pain in the butt. Thus i generally use teak oil and/or a spar varnish top coat after it dries for a goodly while.

 

[jmr40]

Remington rifles, and many shotguns used a pretty thick clear coating on them back in the 1970's up well into the 1990's. It was really just a clear plastic coating over the wood so the concept isn't new. Personally I think guns from that era look gawdy, but they do have their fans.

But my opinion is that it is an exercise in futility. It does protect the wood from dings a little better, but an oil type finish IMO looks better and is easier to repair. If you do get a serious scratch in this type of finish about the only cure it to refinish the stock. And it is impossible to completely seal a wood stock to keep 100% of the moisture out anyway.

 

[Alaskan Ironworker]

Where are the pics of this beautiful stock?

 

[wiscoaster]

If the stock is original and not already modified, I'd suggest replacing it with a new stock, so you (or someone else) can restore it to its original condition at some point in the future. Once an original stock is modified, it's done as far as being desirable as a collectible, and you're going to seriously adversely affect its value. Almost any Mosin in any kind of functional and complete original condition can get a $600 bid these days. Heck, you could probably even just sell the stock itself for $200 or more.

 

[MISportsman]

Where are the pics of this beautiful stock?

Sorry, been busy. The lighting in my workshop is horrible right now and my phone camera sucks, but here are a couple.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Remington rifles, and many shotguns used a pretty thick clear coating on them back in the 1970's up well into the 1990's. It was really just a clear plastic coating over the wood so the concept isn't new. Personally I think guns from that era look gawdy, but they do have their fans.

But my opinion is that it is an exercise in futility. It does protect the wood from dings a little better, but an oil type finish IMO looks better and is easier to repair. If you do get a serious scratch in this type of finish about the only cure it to refinish the stock. And it is impossible to completely seal a wood stock to keep 100% of the moisture out anyway.

I have a '79 Remington BDL that is as you describe. It handles rain like a champ. As long as you clean the gun afterwards with a good water displacing oil.

The finish used by Browning on my BLR22 is twice as plasticky as the Remingtons. Literally looks like it was plasti-dipped. Sure is waterproof though!

 

[MISportsman]

 

[MISportsman]

I don't think they came through when I tried to post on before but this is about the best I can do for now

 

[MISportsman]

I bought it cheap all from classic firearms with the idea of taking 6in off the barrel and modifying or replacing the stock having a bolt turn down and putting a scope on it to make a nice hunting rifle. They listed it as in fair condition but to me it almost looks too nice to modify.

 

[cdb1]

I think I’d just give the stock and barrel a good coat of Renaissance Wax.

 

[MISportsman]

I think I’d just give the stock and barrel a good coat of Renaissance Wax.

I was actually wondering about either that or Johnson's paste wax

 

[Mosin Bubba]

My first thought coming into this thread was car wax. Guess my Bubba is showing.

Make sure it is non-polishing (ie non-abrasive), or it will chew up your finish. But I have used some non-polish Turtle Wax on a Mauser stock that came out looking gorgeous. Has the exact same "glass case over the wood" look that you'd see on those 80s hunting rifles and has proven to be durable.

 

[BigBlue 94]

I was actually wondering about either that or Johnson's paste wax

Johnsons is what i used before finding Old Masters Crystal Clear paste wax. Its some great stuff. High VOC content (solvent), and like automotive wax, has carnauba wax in it. It dries very quick.

 

[cdb1]

I was actually wondering about either that or Johnson's paste wax

I don’t see why not.