Refinishing the stock

[straightshooter9]

I'm probably about to be splattered all over this forum for axing this question........BUT............

Why can't I use a PREMIUM MARINE VARNISH, like EPIFANES,
or Z-SPAR on a gun stock?

I've done varnish work on my own sailboat for years and the finish comes out either with a stunning HI-GLOSS, or a soft finish,
or anything in between, whichever is preferred.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

There's no reason not to....Spar varnish is tough stuff. I got tired of oiling the teak swim platform on my boat and slapped Minwax Helmsman on it several years ago. It's still nice and shiny.

 

[straightshooter9]

hehehe......I know what you mean Colt!

I finally replaced my teak swim-platform with a "man-made" teak look alike.....no more maintenance on that baby!.......
and MINWAX makes some amazing stuff!

 

[bigedp51]

I have used Minwax Antique Oil Finish on gun stocks and it worked very well, when you get into spar varnishes you have long, medium and short oil varnishes with varying amounts of resins added. I will say a wiping varnish is very easy to use like Minwax.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'm sure there are better spar varnishes than Helmsman, but likely not at big box stores like where I shop. A while back I tried to save a few bucks and bought another brand of spar varnish, I believe Cabot brand. Anyway, it was much thinner than Helmsman and didn't leave that thick "protective" feeling finish you get with Helmsman.

Eh, if you don't want it shiny a little buffing with 000 steel wool will make it satin.

 

[straightshooter9]

HAHA! I knew I would get some great responses bigedp51!
My HD Shotgun stays in the bedroom waiting to "extricate" an intruder....
so he probably won't care how the stock looks (I do), he'll only see the "FLASH"!

Colt, that's a good suggestion for a "satin" finish. I've got a wholesale account at PORT SUPPLY (West Marine) and they have a wide selection of beautiful premium varnish.

I always get comments about the TEAK on my boat so why not a gun stock!