5 Ways to Refinish a Gun Stock Yourself, Plus Other Touch-Up Tricks
- Remove a Dent. The key is steam. ...
- Fix a Gouge. Now you’ve done it. ...
- Restore Faded Wood. Once you’ve steamed and sanded a stock, the wood can appear faded and worn. ...
- Bring Back Color. Another way to make a faded spot go away is to apply a light coat of Tru-Oil by Birchwood Casey. ...
- Protect Your Stock. ...
Full Answer
What should I use to finish my rifle stock?
Jul 17, 2014 · ** Read Full Article - http://goo.gl/iL1NdcIn this video we are finally responding to so many requests for information on re-finishing a gun stock. In our c...
How to build a rifle stock from scratch?
Disclaimer: If the gun you’re considering for refinishing is a collectible, please be advised that any alteration to the originality of the firearm, including refinishing the stock, may decrease the street value of its potential “collectible” status. The street value may mean something or nothing to you. As well, an extremely valuable firearm may be perceived of lesser value if ...
What is the best material for a rifle stock?
DIY Easy Refinish a Gun Stock. Step 1: Step 1. The gun has no flat surfaces so I only used steel wool to remove the finish. Start by applying a liberal coating of solvent over a ... Step 2: Step 2. Step 3: Step 3. Be the First to Share.
How do you tighten rifle stocks?
May 22, 2019 · The process is straightforward: wet the dented area, then apply a wet cloth over it. Using the iron in a circular motion, press lightly to apply steam and heat liberally to the dent. Check your progress regularly to avoid overheating the towel or burning the wood. After a few minutes, the dent should be lifted out and the wood will look like new.
What is the best finish to put on a gun stock?
The best finish to put on a gun stock is an oil finish. It is easy to apply, durable and can be used on finished and unfinished wood. Oil finish is also water-proof, prevents UV light from damaging the wood, and can last for several years.
Is it hard to refinish a gun stock?
0:5715:45How to Refinish a Rifle Stock - woodworkweb - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore you start in refinishing any gun you need to understand about that gun in the sense that withMoreBefore you start in refinishing any gun you need to understand about that gun in the sense that with some collectible guns you can actually destroy a lot of the value by refinishing.
Can you sand down a gun stock?
0:024:52How to Sand a Rifle Stock Presented by Larry Potterfield - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSanding is the foundation. When finishing a gun stock and requires great attention to detail.MoreSanding is the foundation. When finishing a gun stock and requires great attention to detail.
Can you use polyurethane on a gun stock?
0:257:46How To- MinWax Wipe on Poly Gun Stock application Part 4 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd start putting the polyurethane on the stock. Uh right here it is i just put a attachment inMoreAnd start putting the polyurethane on the stock. Uh right here it is i just put a attachment in there inside where the assembly goes for the trigger.
What is Tru-oil Gunstock finish?
Tru-Oil® Gun Stock Finish has been the professional's choice for gun stock finishing for more than 30 years. Its unique blend of linseed and other natural oils dries fast, resists water damage and will not cloud, yellow or crack with age.
What do you seal a gun stock with?
0:051:03How to Seal the Wood When Finishing a Gun Stock - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is wood sealer. Apply it liberally and it will penetrate deeply into the wood. This is myMoreThis is wood sealer. Apply it liberally and it will penetrate deeply into the wood. This is my absolute. Favorite part of finishing because you can begin to see the real beauty in the wood.
Can you stain a gun stock?
2 If the stock is relatively scratch-free, give it a gentle sanding with 120-grit, 180-grit, and finally 280-grit paper and polish with extrafine steel wool. Wipe with a tack cloth and go right to staining or applying Tru-Oil® Gun Stock Finish.
What is tru oil used for?
Tru-Oil is a polymerized oil, which is a fancy term for an oil that has been cooked to cross link the molecules and help it dry faster when exposed to air. The trick to helping that drying process is to apply very thin coats.
Can you paint a synthetic rifle stock?
Guns nowadays are composed of synthetic stocks because of their properties, affordability, etc. Painting your rifle stock to your liking is however an easy way to customize it. Particularly good for synthetic stocks are epoxy coated primers and paints.Feb 12, 2022
Is lacquer good for gun stocks?
oil with a hardener or French polish. This looks good for a time, but as you have found, soon wears off. Lacquers or varnishes are much more hard wearing and although are harder to repair if damaged will generally keep your gun looking much better for far longer.Jan 17, 2012
Is boiled linseed oil good for gun stocks?
Boiled linseed oil is more often used on bare wood and is popular for finishing gun stocks, as the process of heating it decreases its drying time. When hand rubbed into wood, it creates a durable weatherproof seal and the heat produced from the friction of rubbing produces a deep, polished finish.
Should I oil my gun stock?
It is important to clean your shotgun after each use to remove any moisture, unburnt powder or dirt. Gun oil should be used sparingly as excess oil or cleaner can damage the stock.
What is the slowest finish to remove?
Home-finishes, varnish, polyurethane , even shellac, and factory epoxy are common. Removal time and technique involved varies by the chemical nature of the finish and how strongly it’s bonded to the wood. Polyurethane seems to be the most common and can be the slowest to remove, depending on the manufacturer.
How long does it take for oil based finish to dry?
Sometimes up to 10, even more coats are needed to achieve deep, lustrous beauty. Drying time between coats is at least one day. Drying times also vary, depending on humidity.
What does street value mean on a firearm?
The street value may mean something or nothing to you. As well, an extremely valuable firearm may be perceived of lesser value if modifications, including gunstock refinishing, are made to it. Really, it comes down to whether you want to focus on the collectible dollar value, or re-do the stock and get a look for your own personal enjoyment.
Can you remove gun oil from wood?
Gun oil stains in wood: These are difficult to remove. Many can be removed completely, but not always. The severity and depth of the stain, type of oil that created it, and how long it’s been there are crucial factors. Some oil stain residue simply can’t be completely removed.
Does rubbing oil make wood grain pop?
In so doing, it reveals the true grain inherent in the wood. Rubbing oil penetrates, making the grain ‘pop!’. The penetrating oil also deepens contrast between light and dark wood fibers (grain), revealing the full beauty of the pattern. (And therein lies the ‘rub’ of hand-finishing.
Does refinishing a stock increase the value of a firearm?
Keep in mind refinishing a stock can definitely increase the “perceived value” and even street value of any firearm, simply because it looks so much better. I’m not referring to the collectability value of the firearm here, only to what others may be willing to pay for your gun should you want to sell it.
What to do after stripping stock?
After stripping your stock, it still will have some old stain and grease trapped in its pores. To correct this start boiling some water ( be careful!) then use a de-greaser of your choice. I used "Krud Cutter" because it is biodegradable and it lathers the wood in a nice coat of suds.
How to make a wood stock look like a glop?
First lightly sand your stock so that you get some sawdust residue, then mix your epoxy with the sawdust until it looks like a glop of gooey wood mud. Use a tooth pick to push your new wood muck into the crack completely, then use a clamp of some sort to push the wood together and hold it there.
How long to boil stock in hot water?
Cover your utility sink with a towel and allow your stock to float in the hot water for about 5 min before flipping it to the other side. Keep doing this until the water is lukewarm.
How long does Tru oil dry on wood?
The first coat the wood should soak up fairly quickly, which is wonderful! Allow the tru oil to dry for 8 hrs. Once you get back from an 8 hour pizza run, be sure to lightly sand the surface with some steel wool, and apply another layer of tru oil.
Step 1: Step 1
The gun has no flat surfaces so I only used steel wool to remove the finish. Start by applying a liberal coating of solvent over a section of the gun stock. Work a section at a time. Wait a minute or so and test the area. I live in a warm climate so my wait time is short. Solvent works best in warm weather.
Step 2: Step 2
Sand the gunstock. I used various grades to smooth it down. The grain will sometimes raise up when you strip wood. Try not to over sand to preserve the natural patina. In this case though I had to use a power sander as I was having trouble removing oil stains from the side that the solvent didn't remove. Wipe it down with a dust cloth.
Step 3: Step 3
Time to apply the finish. Working from the butt of the gun stock up, I coated the wood with Rustoleum Clear finish. if possible, always brush with the grain. The finish dries quickly like the stain. After about an hour, I lightly sanded the stock with 1200 sandpaper to remove any dust particles.
How to remove finish from a gun?
The alternate method to remove your gun’s finish - and one that has become much more popular in recent years - is to use some form of chemical stripper. This method is much faster than using sandpaper, as it will typically remove finish down to the bare wood in just one application.
How to get rid of dents on wood?
Hand sanding is the most common option, as it’s relatively simple and effective, and it allows the most control over the process. You can follow the grain of the wood, work on dents and dings, and decide how much or little of the finish is removed. Start with a fine grit and work your way up to a coarser grit as needed.
How to get a dent out of wood?
Using the iron in a circular motion, press lightly to apply steam and heat liberally to the dent. Check your progress regularly to avoid overheating the towel or burning the wood. After a few minutes, the dent should be lifted out and the wood will look like new.
Can scratching be filled in with wood filler?
Minor scratches can be filled in with wood filler. On higher end stocks you may want to use specialized scratch-filling materials, which chemically bond to the wood and blend colors to match the grain perfectly, leaving no trace of the scratch. Dents and dings can also be repaired during this step.
Do long guns have wooden stock?
One thing that nearly every shooter will encounter at some point in their shooting career is the need to recondition or restore a wooden stock on a long gun. Most long guns made before 1960 have a wooden stock by default. With use over time, wooden gun stocks can get to a point where the finish is dull and damaged.
Can you use a power sander to sand a gun?
If hand sanding sounds like a lot of work, you can also use a power sander. Power sanders aren’t as precise, however, so take that into account when determining the best way to sand your gun’s stock.
Can you apply a finish in multiple coats?
Apply the finish in multiple light coats for best results. Be sure to leave ample time to dry between coats, which gives you an accurate idea of what your stock will look like at various stages of the coating process. You may decide to stop sooner or later than you initially planned.
Step 1: Remove the Old Finish
Isn’t this hideous? This is all the factory varnish scraped off with my pocket knife. Hold the sharp knife 90-degrees to the surface and scrape. It’s oddly satisfying.
Step 3 - Apply Tru-Oil
This is where things can get made complicated but don’t need to be. In my video I made it a little over-complicated. I think you get the same results by applying a coat, letting it dry, lightly wet sand, and repeat two more times.
How to remove finish from a rifle?
After applying the remover on one side, wrap that side with a plastic sheet and repeat the same process with the other side. The plastic sheet will help the remover to work correctly as it will not dry out.
What is refinishing metal?
Mainly in refinishing, the metal parts are cleaned and polished. The metal parts that should be appropriately refinished are taken to the factory in which they were manufactured. It is done to protect their serial number, proof marks, pinholes, and sharp screws and edges.
How to protect checkering?
Sanding. After the stock is dried, the next process is sanding. To protect the checkering from the sanding process, you can cover it with tape. For smooth, full-length stroke, we recommend using a large sanding block. 5. Dusting. Use some scrub pads to remove the grain dust from the stock.
What is the best way to remove walnut stain from a gun?
Fillers are used to duplicating the rich, walnut-hued stain. We use French red as many gun makers use it. Let it dry and wipe out the extra filler with the help of scrub pads. It would help if you rubbed it in the grain’s direction to take all the filler out of the pores.
How long does it take to remove plastic sheet?
After 15-20 minutes, you should remove the plastic sheet, and you will get the softened surface of the old refinishing that can now be removed with scrub pads. You can also use steel wool, but it can cause problems during the refinishing process, so we do not recommend it.
What to do if you have 1% of doubt about your gun?
If you have 1% of doubt regarding your gun’s price, then don’t apply this process. Before doing the first step, wear plastic gloves and a protective eyepiece. So the remover that is a harmful substance doesn’t affect your skin.
How to protect surface from remover?
Also, use some newspapers or some piece of paper to protect the surface from the remover’s effect. Do this process in a highly ventilated area to protect yourself from breathing complications. Now let’s begin the process. 1.
How to remove old finish from rifle?
After the stock is removed, the most effective way to remove the old finish is to sand it by hand.
How to fix scratches on a rifle?
Apply Filler. Once you have sanded off the old finish, look for any remaining scratches or gouges. If there are any, fill those in with a wood filler. After letting the filler dry, sand down the spots that have just been filled so that the rifle’s stock is even and smooth. Apply Walnut Stain.
How long to wait to apply Tru-Oil to Birchwood Casey?
After waiting at least 24 hours, use very fine steel wool to lightly remove any dust that may have settled while drying before moving on to the next step. Apply Tru-Oil. Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil is sometimes easier to apply to your rifle stock using bare fingers.
How to get darker walnut stain?
To get the color that you want, just add water and spot test the stain on a piece of scrap wood until the right consistency is achieved. If you decide you like the darker stain, no water is necessary.
Can you use water to stain walnut?
If you decide you like the darker stain, no water is necessary. For most refinishing applications, a 50/50 water/stain mixture is just about right, but this depends on your personal preference and the original color of the stock. Apply the walnut stain with a clean, dust-free cloth and let it dry overnight.
