Refinishing a Gun Stock [Large Images]

[FloridaBlue]

I am trying to refinish a 30 year old gun stock but am running into some issues. I can't seem to get the dark discoloration out of the wood no matter how much sanding is involved.

I applied a light stain after sanding it back down to the wood to see how it would show but I'm just not happy with it. Any ideas/help/advice? I want to restore this stocks glory and bring her back to life.

 

[fox2usp]

If the discoloration is oil or grease, I've had some success in the past drawing it out with acetone. It takes repeated treatments with a cloth soaked in acetone, but it will work if you spend enough time on it. Hope that helps. Pretty stock.

 

[fox2usp]

After looking at the pictures more closely, it kinda looks like the discoloration is the original finish. That will have to be completely removed before you try to refinish it. You can either sand it off or use a chemical stripper. If it is poly urethane, it takes alot of work to get it off. Good luck.

 

[FloridaBlue]

Thanks fox might have to try the Acetone. The original finish was already removed but I think the discolor was caused by my first "rookie" application by using a sponge brush instead of a lint free applicator. I think it might be due to it either soaking in to much stain the first time around or possible discoloration by residual stripper. The other side of the stock looks great but this left hand side is giving me hell.

 

[unclewayne17]

1. It could just be the grain of the wood and the way it catches the light. 2. Could be the way the stain soaked in when you refinished it. If it is theis you will have to bleach out the stain if you can.
If you can't get it looking any better and still want to change the color. You can seal the wood, (close up the grain to stop the stain from entering the wood fibers). Then put your choice of stain on top of the sealer, this will help you redo it if you don't like the way it comes out for you. if so remove the stain and try again. After you get it the way you like it cover the finish with the clear of choice (read the can of stain to find out what finish you can put over the stain).
Good Luck!

 

[Rocketgeezer]

I have done several Mosin and SKS,A/K stocks, all old stuff, what I have found works best is, first do not sand, just get a good paint stripper, and corse steel wool, gloves and have at it when you get it stripped and it drys for a day or two, it will look like new wood, then you can smooth it a bit, and start staining, and sanding and staining, then clear if you want

 

[handgonnetoter]

I have done several Mosin and SKS,A/K stocks, all old stuff, what I have found works best is, first do not sand, just get a good paint stripper, and corse steel wool, gloves and have at it when you get it stripped and it drys for a day or two, it will look like new wood, then you can smooth it a bit, and start staining, and sanding and staining, then clear if you want

I soaked my Mosin stocks in Laquer Thinner for a few hours, let dry for about five hours, then resoaked in fresh thinner for about another thirty minutes. I let that dry for about one day before I even started to sand, etc.

 

[Catfan63]

1. It could just be the grain of the wood and the way it catches the light. 2. Could be the way the stain soaked in when you refinished it. If it is theis you will have to bleach out the stain if you can.
If you can't get it looking any better and still want to change the color. You can seal the wood, (close up the grain to stop the stain from entering the wood fibers). Then put your choice of stain on top of the sealer, this will help you redo it if you don't like the way it comes out for you. if so remove the stain and try again. After you get it the way you like it cover the finish with the clear of choice (read the can of stain to find out what finish you can put over the stain).
Good Luck!

I think unclewayne may be correct with his #2 suggestion especially if it's walnut (can't tell from the pictures) as walnut is notorious for blotching when stain is applied to raw (or nearly) raw wood. You've got to seal it first with something to insure even absorption. Good luck!!

 

[Rocketgeezer]

I soaked my Mosin stocks in Laquer Thinner for a few hours, let dry for about five hours, then resoaked in fresh thinner for about another thirty minutes. I let that dry for about one day before I even started to sand, etc.

I guess that would work ok as long as you got all the old finish off, but I had the stripper on hand and a very little bit of laquer thinner

 

[handgonnetoter]

I guess that would work ok as long as you got all the old finish off, but I had the stripper on hand and a very little bit of laquer thinner

I really was a little worried about soaking the stock in something as hot as Laquer Thinner, but all the years of oil in that wood just was tough to get out.

 

[FloridaBlue]

OK, well at this point it appears the wood itself has been bleached and I'm not having any luck getting it to stain evenly. The wood does appear to be walnut as it's a very hard wood. I think I will try sealing it then re-staining it and hopefully that will give me the even colors I'm looking for.

 

[Rocketgeezer]

I really was a little worried about soaking the stock in something as hot as Laquer Thinner, but all the years of oil in that wood just was tough to get out.

Yes I thought about that but the paint stripper did a great job, have done maybe a dozen that way

 

[unclewayne17]

There was a section on PBS the Woodsmith Shop ( Woodsmith Shop - America's Favorite Woodworking TV Show ) today that the solution to your finish. After you get it back to wood put on the Wood Conditioner on it to seal the grain in preperation for your finish. Check your local PBS station for times around you. Enjoy.

 

[Crazy bird]

Well I gotta tell ya , the advice you got so far is pretty good ! So I will tell ya mine when I get the stock cleaned out ,I find a fine grit paper and sand then clean then I raise the grain w/a slitly wet cotton cloth and let dry in a room w/ dehumidafyer ! I do this 20 times ,after the first 10 times I go to steel wool triple-ot heavy rub is not needed ! When i get it there and have choosen a finish I take a lint free cloth and dip it in the finish and rub into the wood with small circuler pattern let dry . Sand w/ steel wool clean and aply again do this 12 time and you will want to spack the monkey

 

[FloridaBlue]

Well after a few days of attempting restore the stock myself I decided to give it to a friend who has a background in woodworking and who can restore it to a professional level and bring her back to life. I do appreciate all the input and advice though!

 

[griffdawg]

I have read that a 50/50 bleach & water solution wiped on then set in sun for a few hours then wiping off with water will lighten a stock