Improve Rossi Stock's Finish

[AlabamaDan]

Hey Guys! I know I'm relatively new here, but I hope you can give me some advice. I just picked up a Rossi 20g single shot for my son's birthday present. It's in pretty good condition, but the stocks are sorta blah. I'm hoping to do something to help them.

Years ago I bought a Rossi Winchester 92 and a friend refinished the stocks and I love how it looks. I think he stripped the orig finish off and rubbed linseed oil into it. I'm not 100% sure, but that's what I'd like the shotgun to look like.

Anyone ever done this before and willing to give some advice?

 

[slicksleeve]

I would strip it down to the bare wood with a chemical stripper, then sand it down with 400 grit paper or so, then fly into with Birchwood Casey Tru-oil. Put it on with your bare hand. A little dab at a time, rub it in until it warms up your hand. Let it dry, (it will take a while, like overnight), then buff it with 0000 steel wool, then re-apply. After about six coats, it should look pretty good. The more coats you do, the better it will look, until you get it as dark as you want. I'm guessing your in Alabama, so am I, and if you do this outdoors, it seems to be a hot-weather type project. All of the above has been my personal experience only.

 

[loose noose]

Alabama, What I would do is remove all the finish to bare wood,if it is a regular grade hardwood with out any character which most of there stocks are, I would take a propane torch and burn some grain into it (just really a light scorching just barely brown) then I would finish resanding the stock with 400 sandpaper. Next I would use a dark stain such as Mini Wax Special Walnut #324. After letting it dry for about 24 hours, then I'd apply the Birchwood Casey True Oil. I just finished a Traditions BP Pistol and the stock was a unflattering piece of Beechwood, after that process it now looks like a high dollar walnut stock.

 

[LivewireBlanco]

I used 0000 steel wool on the stock and some mineral spirits to wipe it all down then let it dry. Then I applied Minwax Tung Oil Finish and Let it dry for a few minutes, then rubbed it down with a cloth and let it dry 24 hours. Then, lightly 0000 wool the stock and repeat application of Minwax until desired luster is reached and don't rub down the last application of Minwax. 3-4 coats makes a nice satin finish, 5-6 for a more glossy look.