Re-Finishing a Stock

[joshb]

and what is this one?! I really like this

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That’s the same Tiger Maple stock with it’s first coat of black aniline dye.
I sanded the black down and proceeded to the alcohol mix. I plan on doing a black stock in the near future.

 

[Bc'z]

I don't see much figure in that birch (it is relatively rare in birch). You're going to have a hard time getting the dye to show figure that isn't there. If you can add a little color to the arrow wood finish, I might just do that. Flamed abd tiger birch is a thing but it doesn't get used on gunstocks much because birch is a cheaper stock wood. It does oj savages and 10/22s. It's a great stock wood but usually pretty plain.
Those fancy dye jobs are done on wood that has figure, resulting from irregularities in the wood. They use dye because it doesn't soak into all the wood the same leaving darker and lighter spots.
Essentially you're highlighting blemishes like I did on this stock. It's easy to do but the wood has to have the right figure.

That came out stellar!!

 

[Twdmar]

That came out stellar!!

Thanks. Lots of cool figure from the birdseyes and knots but all that figure makes things harder to work.

 

[Bc'z]

Thanks. Lots of cool figure from the birdseyes and knots but all that figure makes things harder to work.

The fades to natural are amazing!!

 

[snert]

Don't beat me with a stick, but I redid a 788 Birch stock. After sanding I took a propane torch to it, making lines like tiger maple. Then I stained it with a red oak and Maple mix. (Because I didn't have BC and Josh) I finished it with poly. It actually looked like grain in the wood. It was a crap stock so I figured I couldn't hurt it. Sorry no photos.

 

[Twdmar]

Don't beat me with a stick, but I redid a 788 Birch stock. After sanding I took a propane torch to it, making lines like tiger maple. Then I stained it with a red oak and Maple mix. (Because I didn't have BC and Josh) I finished it with poly. It actually looked like grain in the wood. It was a crap stock so I figured I couldn't hurt it. Sorry no photos.

That's cool!

 

[Sandstorm]

Sorry no photos.

Yea now take some photos...

 

[Dave M.]

So got an old stock and wanting to refinish it. So looking for some guidance. Read a lot online and have a decent idea what to do. But looking for any tips to help out.

Here is what it looked like when I started:
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And after a little bit of sanding. Most was done with 220 grit but got the 100 out for some spots that were tougher. Still some black spots which I'd take any tips on how to remove them. After 220, I went over it all with some 400.
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So what will my next steps be? There are a few small dents, nothing big and if they don't come out, I won't fret. I'd like it super smooth and debating how dark I'd like it when finished.

…..Enter Mr. BC’z

 

[CjC73]

Don't beat me with a stick, but I redid a 788 Birch stock. After sanding I took a propane torch to it, making lines like tiger maple. Then I stained it with a red oak and Maple mix. (Because I didn't have BC and Josh) I finished it with poly. It actually looked like grain in the wood. It was a crap stock so I figured I couldn't hurt it. Sorry no photos.

Actually thought of doing that to this one.

Tossed a mixture of stain on mine tonight.... A little black, gunstock and some red mahogany. Needs to be darker I think.

Should I mix some more black into it?
Suggestions? Or am I trying to put lipstick on a pig here?

 

[Twdmar]

The fades to natural are amazing!!

The center was dyed very light brown and black was put on about halfway through the yellow with a fade from dark black to light to the brown amd then mostly sanded out. It came out pretty good. I'm not so sure on the finish though. It's a uv catalyzed product called solarez. It does not seem to have good resistance. It does seem to be be pretty solvent resistant and cures in just a few minutes. Possibly a good option when someone is under a severe time crunch.

 

[Twdmar]

Actually thought of doing that to this one.

Tossed a mixture of stain on mine tonight.... A little black, gunstock and some red mahogany. Needs to be darker I think.

Should I mix some more black into it?
Suggestions? Or am I trying to put lipstick on a pig here?

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It is a birch stock but it can be made into a nice birch stock. Birch usually had a pretty tight grain, so this may not work, but with walnut I've made a slurry of rottenstone and finish and wipe it on before sanding it off.
It highlights the grain in walnut black. It might make your grain pop and give it a little character if the grain is not too tight.
If you darken, I would go slow or you may find going too dark makes it dark and boring again. It looks good now.
It's good practice and the oil finish will be pleasing to the eye and feel nice to the touch.

 

[Sandstorm]

It looks good now.

Excactly...right on the money Twdmar.
You need to know when to stop and perhaps take some 1000 grit to it and polish it out.

 

[DGP4]

With Beech and Birch, the best method is to add an aniline dye directly to the finish as those woods do not stain well in the regular way.

 

[Liven The Dream]

Chem Pak from Brownells Stain Spray
Works very well been using for year .

 

[CjC73]

Excactly...right on the money Twdmar.
You need to know when to stop and perhaps take some 1000 grit to it and polish it out.

Thanks... I think I'm going to stop, polish it with some 1000 and apply some Arrow wood oil to it.

 

[CjC73]

didn't turn out too bad, might do a couple more coats of oil but good for now. Now, onto bedding it. that should be an experience.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

It does look like birch or similar. I've had better luck dying those woods vs using a stain. I'd seal, dye and then top coat with your choice of finish over it. You can play with burning the wood with a pencil propane or butane torch to accent and or add some figure to the wood if you want, too. When I do it, I typically just work the areas where there is already a little grain, just to accent it, then lightly sand it back a little before sealing it. It can fancy up a rather plain piece of wood some but I'd dye it fairly dark to make it not obvious. No real replacement for the real thing of God's work but it can look pretty nice if done right.

You could do like I did recently on one and use root beer kandy to dye it, then top coat with automotive clear. I posted pics on here. I'll try to find them and post some before and afters in a few minutes.

 

[CjC73]

It does look like birch or similar. I've had better luck dying those woods vs using a stain. I'd seal, dye and then top coat with your choice of finish over it. You can play with burning the wood with a pencil propane or butane torch to accent and or add some figure to the wood if you want, too. When I do it, I typically just work the areas where there is already a little grain, just to accent it, then lightly sand it back a little before sealing it. It can fancy up a rather plain piece of wood some but I'd dye it fairly dark to make it not obvious. No real replacement for the real thing of God's work but it can look pretty nice if done right.

You could do like I did recently on one and use root beer kandy to dye it, then top coat with automotive clear. I posted pics on here. I'll try to find them and post some before and afters in a few minutes.

thanks... little late to do that. Yes, I could start over but don't feel like it on this piece of wood. be nice to see what yours looks like though.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

 

[Twdmar]

didn't turn out too bad, might do a couple more coats of oil but good for now. Now, onto bedding it. that should be an experience.


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Looks good. It will make a nice hunting stock. It should be relatively low visibility and if you ding you won't be as upset as if you spent a month working on it.
https://www.6mmbr.com/pillarbedding.html
The link will show how to bed it. It's a bit different for a magazine but not terribly.