how to refinish wood gun stock

by Bradley Cole MD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

^{5 Ways to Refinish a Gun Stock Yourself, Plus Other Touch-Up Tricks}

Remove a Dent. The key is steam. Take a regular iron and set it on high. ...
Fix a Gouge. Now you’ve done it. You banged your stock against a rock and have left an unsightly gouge. ...
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. One of the best ways to protect wood with a natural finish is to use some kind of wax-based or oil-based product (but not Pledge). ...

Full Answer

What is the best treatment for wood gun stocks?

May 22, 2019 · A clean rag or new soft brush is the best method. 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.

What adhesive works best to repair a gun stock?

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 oil to finish a gun stock?

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. I always try to use a …

How to finish gun stock?

1 First, apply Tru-Oil Gun Stock Finish to the entire stock and allow it to penetrate the grain. Don’t rub it in, just let the wood absorb it. When the stock has soaked up all it can absorb, wipe away the excess and let dry for 24 hours ( Read Carmichel’s Tip below). 2 Working on 4" x 4" sections, coat the area with Tru-Oil Gun Stock Finish

What is the best finish for gun stocks?

oil finishThe 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.Feb 17, 2022

Can you Restain a gun stock?

0:4615:45How 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.

How much does it cost to have a gun stock refinished?

Current Refinishing Pricing for most gunstocks: $385 – 445 for most stocks. The amount depends on variables such as type of wood; ease/difficulty of old finish removal; extent and location of dents, gouges, scratches; coats required, etc.

Can you use regular wood stain on a gun stock?

Generally 50/50 stain and water mix works for most situations. 3 Apply Walnut Stain with a clean, lint-free cloth or brush. If darker than desired, sponge wood with clear water. If lighter than desired, add more stain.

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.

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.

How much does it cost to refinish a shotgun stock?

Current Refinishing Pricing for most gunstocks: $250 - 350 for most stocks. Amount depends on variables such as ease/difficulty of old finish removal, extent of dents, gouges, scratches, etc. Remove entire old finish from stock and checkering (if applicable).Jan 18, 2017

Can you varnish a gun stock?

0:225:49Gunsmithing - Stock Finishing with Bar Top Varnish Presented by Larry ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's a very attractive finish. But bar top finish as a filler is more durable the bar or tabletopMoreIt's a very attractive finish. But bar top finish as a filler is more durable the bar or tabletop varnish will give the stock a very hard and moisture repellant surface when used to fill the grain.

Can you put polyurethane on a gun stock?

1:417:46How To- MinWax Wipe on Poly Gun Stock application Part 4 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn because i'm going to be putting a very light coat on each time i've got a paper towel for it toMoreIn because i'm going to be putting a very light coat on each time i've got a paper towel for it to lay under and that's pretty much it i mean but the other polyurethanes.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

What is essential wood prep?

Essentials are: Thorough wood prep that prepares the wood for a new finish. Selection of finishing oils, hardeners, and drying components to maximize a handcrafted result. Determining the best application technique to achieve the desired finish and high-end outcome. Time.

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.

How to clean a gun stock?

Clean the Gun Stock. Once the waiting period is over, wash the finish remover off of the stock with mild soap and warm water. If needed, you can use a rough sponge or steel wool to remove the finish along with any grit and grime remaining. After that, rinse the wood thoroughly and wipe it down.

How to refinish a gun?

Because of the process involved, you can't refinish the wood while it's attached to metal. Start by removing the wooden pieces from the rest of the gun. Usually you do this the same way you would when cleaning the gun. 2.

How to clean wood after heat?

After applying the heat, use the degreaser and give the wood a good scrub. You can alternate and repeat the heat and degreasing as many times as necessary until you're satisfied the wood is clean and oil-free. 5. Inspect the Wood. Inspect the wood for cracks or damage. Take steps to fix or repair any issues now.

How to get sawdust off wood?

7. Stain the Stock. For many people, this is the fun part. Start by applying conditioner to the wood to prep it for the stain. Then, with a cheesecloth or your preferred application method, apply the stain you've picked.

How to sand wood with lemon oil?

Put a little lemon oil or other natural oil on the wood to strengthen it. Once that has set in, begin sanding by hand. Start with the smallest number grits first and work up to larger numbers. There's typically no need to go beyond around 400 grit size.

How to fix cracks in wood?

Inspect the Wood. Inspect the wood for cracks or damage. Take steps to fix or repair any issues now. Most cracks or other damage can be fixed with a little sawdust and epoxy or wood sealant, so feel free to attempt those at your own discretion. As long as there is no structural damage, you can move on to the next step.

How to remove a sanded sand from wood?

There are several methods for removing this, but the most common and effective move is to apply heat and some form of degreaser. You can use heat guns, bo iling water, or even a hair dryer to provide heat, although boiling water will also saturate the wood as it opens up the fibers.

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 apply Tru Oil gun stock finish?

If darker than desired, sponge wood with clear water. If lighter than desired, add more stain. 4 Allow the Walnut Stain to dry overnight before applying Tru-Oil® Gun Stock Finish.

How to sand a gun stock?

1 Following final tooling on a new gun stock, begin sanding with a medium to coarse paper. 120 is typically enough grit to remove material quickly without being too aggressive. Always sand with the grain whenever using an abrasive.

What is Birchwood Casey Walnut Stain?

Birchwood Casey Walnut Stain is a water-based stain that will produce a clear, rich walnut color without grain clouding or smearing. 1 As a test to determine whether to stain or not, examine a portion of the wood while it is wet with water or alcohol.

How to keep stock edges sharp?

To keep stock edges sharp and the wood’s surface ripple-free, always sand with a sanding block. The block will prevent the abrasive from “digging in” on soft spots in the grain. And remember to sand AROUND checkering to keep the checkered peaks crisp. Keep checkering masked off until final application of oil.

How to apply Birchwood Casey gun stock sealer?

1 Apply Birchwood Casey Gun Stock Sealer and Filler generously and directly to wood with brush or a clean, lint-free cloth. Do not over brush. Let dry for 60 minutes or until thoroughly dry.

How to apply Tru Oil to a gun?

How to sand metal surfaces?

When sanding metal surfaces, wrap the paper around a stiff, at backer like a file. In addition to reducing hand fatigue, it will keep surfaces at and edges crisp. 4 Whatever you do, don’t try and rush metal preparation. Keep polishing until everything looks right.

How to finish a gun stock?

Remove a Dent. The key is steam. Take a regular iron and set it on high. Grab an old T-shirt, washcloth, or a couple of .30-caliber-size cotton cleaning patches and dampen them.

How to fix scratches on a gun stock?

Just rub the stick across the scratch and work it in with a soft cloth. 3. Restore Faded Wood. Once you’ve steamed and sanded a stock, the wood can appear faded and worn.

How to remove rust from a gun?

To remove an unwanted bloom of rust on a gun, dab some gun oil on the afflicted area and work it over with a piece of No. 0000 steel wool. This extra-fine grade of steel wool won’t scratch or mar the metal on even fine guns. Once you’ve removed the rust, wipe the metal with a cloth to remove any small bits of the steel wool that may have come loose, and then apply a drop or two of gun oil for protection against future corrosion.

What happens when you sand a gun stock?

Once you’ve steamed and sanded a stock, the wood can appear faded and worn. This can happen when the stock is exposed to the elements as well, particularly water. Brownell’s Stock Rubbing Compound is to your gun what car wax is to your truck. Rub in this mildly abrasive compound, and as you buff it off, it will restore luster and protection to your stock.

How to fix a gouge in wood?

The steam will raise the wood. Repeat until flush. With fine sandpaper (600- or 800-grit), knock down any raised grain or high spots. 2. Fix a Gouge. Now you’ve done it. You banged your stock against a rock and have left an unsightly gouge. Start by following the steps to steam out a dent.

How long does it take for oil to dry on stock?

Before the oil sets up, which takes about 10 minutes, wipe it down with a soft cloth. Let dry for 24 hours, and repeat as necessary to bring the color back to where you want it. 5. Protect Your Stock.

Can you touch up a gun stock?

Touching up a gun stock isn' t as challenging as you might think. Jeff Wilson. Touching up wooden stocks doesn’t have to be intimidating, and you certainly don’t need a gunsmith to handle it. Here are a few tips to get you started with the easier fixes. Yes, it can be tedious, but with the best gun stock finish you’ll make your gun everything it ...