I want to change my WASR's finish.

[E304life]

Well it doesn't really have a finish to begin with. Or does it? Anyways, I would really like to darken the wood on my WASR to look like handguards on the rifle pictured. I may (and by may, I mean I already have) have already applied one coat of linseed oil to one half of the buttstock before realizing that linseed oil may not get me where i want color wise.
I realize that the more coats you apply the darker it gets but how dark does it really get?
Can i remove the oil i've applied? (its only hours old)
How would you suggest i get a darker wood finish, like the AK in the picture? I don't want russian red, but a little red is OK.
What color stain would you suggest?
I feel like Epimetheus


^^Just a picture i found on the internets.
Thank you.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Two easy, but good, options:

1) Watco Oil with a stain color in the oil - available in 8 or 10 colors including some medium and dark reds, you could put this over the linseed oil once it's fully dry and add some color. Essentially permanent, fairly durable finish.

2) Put on a couple more coats of linseed oil, and if you don't like the final color, use a wood finishing wax (Watco makes one, there are other brands) in a color you like. This is not ordinary furniture polish, it's more of a semi-permanent finish that is a topcoat over another finish. You can get these in various colors as well. Drawback is that it will eventually wear off and adds little protection. The plus is that it's super simple and if you don't like the resulting color you can easily strip it and try another color.

You could also sand, and sand, and sand til you get through all the oil finish you just applied, and then use any stain and finish you want.

 

[Z-Michigan]

By the way, I have used clear Watco oil on some other Century-import AKs with great results. Multiple coats, super-fine sanding between coats after they are fully dry (several days each coat). I've also used the stained Watco oil on other woodworking projects, though not an AK stock. I just noticed you had put linseed oil on only one side of your stock. You'll need to either do the second side with linseed oil or heavily sand the first side to get an even application of your next finish.

 

[uspJ]

i used minwax on my very first wasr. when i got the rifle teh wood stock was completely raw wood, no finish sanding and no coating of any kind. i got the darkest shade i could find and would apply a coat and let it dry and then buff it with 000 steel wool. i repeated this process about 3-4 times. when i was done the wood had a dark walnut stain and a satin finish that was completely water resistant.

 

[spriz]

go to lowes get some sand paper, stain and varnish and have it!

 

[Hokkmike]

I used a red oak minwax. It had color and polyurethane mixed.

Light sanding, wipe clean with soft colth, apply first coat.

Dry overnight.

Light sanding, wipe clean with soft cloth, apply second coat.

Dry overnight.

FINISHED - Color matched the bayonet handle. Beautiful job.