A question for those using Arrow Wood Finish on stocks

[jepp2]

I have used Arrow Wood Finish on several stocks and really like the different effects I can achieve with it. But I have always just applied it with my palm and worked it until it was dry on the surface.

I have a stock I want to add some stain to. And I want to use the technique where you add a few drops of stain to a small quantity of Arrow Wood Finish, then use it for several coats until I get the darkening I desire. But I am trying to avoid having that much exposure to the stain. I know I can apply the Arrow Wood Finish with a cloth, but I don't know how to achieve the same drying without palm rubbing it in. I have considered a protective glove under a leather glove, or using a piece of leather instead of my palm. But not sure either will achieve what I want.

So do you have any experience of rubbing it until it is dry with anything other than your palm?

 

[Preacher]

At the beginning I use wet or dry sand paper to rub it till it's dry....
Worn paper is a plus, or even use the back side.......

 

[jepp2]

Worn paper is a plus, or even use the back side.......

Never even thought about using paper. I too wet sand until very stiff, then I use my palm to finish. The paper would keep me from harming the checkering.

Have you ever added stain to some Arrow Wood Finish?

 

[Preacher]

Never even thought about using paper. I too wet sand until very stiff, then I use my palm to finish. The paper would keep me from harming the checkering.

Have you ever added stain to some Arrow Wood Finish?

Nope never have used any stain with it...
Not sure if it would mess with the oil or not..
Try it on a piece of wood you don't care about....

 

[jepp2]

The guy on the website talks about using stain in the finish when you have a worn spot that still has finish underneath, and you can't stain directly.

I'm going to pick up a piece of poplar to play with some. Start with a little Arrow and a few drops of stain.

 

[Preacher]

The guy on the website talks about using stain in the finish when you have a worn spot that still has finish underneath, and you can't stain directly.

I'm going to pick up a piece of poplar to play with some. Start with a little Arrow and a few drops of stain.

It might be better if you used the same wood as you'll be using on the project...

 

[jepp2]

It might be better if you used the same wood as you'll be using on the project...

Trust me, I have high value for that recommendation. But since I don't really have any walnut similar to what I am working on, I thought I would "try" my mix on the popular to get an idea of stain strength to start with. Then I would do a test patch in the barrel channel where it doesn't show, to see how the stock takes the mix.

The first Anschutz I stripped a few days before this one, everything worked as it was supposed to. The lacquer thinner removed all the old finish rather quickly, and left the stain in the stock. This next one had I think 3 different finishes on it. And the last one resisted some of the best chemical strippers. I wound up having to scrape a good bit off in certain places. It is going to look better, but nothing like the 1411 stock is.

 

[Preacher]

Trust me, I have high value for that recommendation. But since I don't really have any walnut similar to what I am working on, I thought I would "try" my mix on the popular to get an idea of stain strength to start with. Then I would do a test patch in the barrel channel where it doesn't show, to see how the stock takes the mix.

The first Anschutz I stripped a few days before this one, everything worked as it was supposed to. The lacquer thinner removed all the old finish rather quickly, and left the stain in the stock. This next one had I think 3 different finishes on it. And the last one resisted some of the best chemical strippers. I wound up having to scrape a good bit off in certain places. It is going to look better, but nothing like the 1411 stock is.



View attachment 1046128 View attachment 1046129

You plan on doing the checkering redo, and also doing the other one ???

 

[joshb]

I used Watco Danish oil on some of my early stocks. It came in clear, medium walnut and dark Walnut, among other colors. You could use that as a base coat. It's compatible with the Arrow. I know because after Preacher turned me on to the Arrow, I redid my old stocks with the Arrow on top of the Watco.

 

[jepp2]

You plan on doing the checkering redo, and also doing the other one ???

The right picture is the 1411 stock before, and it is the top stock in the picture of 2.

The checkering is in pretty good shape and since I don't have the tools and the skill, probably will leave it as is. The bottom stock already has 4 coats of Arrow on it. My test on the poplar, seemed to work Ok. Just a bit of darkening with each coat. I have a lot of coats left to go on it.

I have used Watco Danish Oil before. Mainly to seal the barrel channel after I open it up to float the barrel or remove the pressure point. To me except for the color choices, it seems very similar to Tung Oil Finish.