Clear Coating a wood stock

[P1ZombieKiller]

I just got a new wood stock, and I think I want to clear coat it. I assume this will make it slide in the bags real nice. What would the normal auto-body shop charge to do this? I do not want to do anything to the stock but drop it off with the areas I do not want coated taped off.

 

[barrowsr]

You might try a spray can approach using semi gloss or satin lacquer finish. Deft brand comes to mine and is available in spray and brush on styles. Your challenge will be to fill the pours to achieve a smooth finish so you’ll be sanding between coats. The wood looks like it’s already got a finish and perhaps even a stain on it so you’ll need to be careful not to sand through that. Paying a body shop by the hour to do this will be expensive. I doubt you’ll achieve a smooth finish by just shooting clear on the stock without some intermediate sanding. If you don’t want to try it yourself you might try a stock maker. Good luck with you project.

Robin

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

I've tried it myself with one of those Ruger 10/22 stocks, and it turned out horrible. Of course I had no idea what I was doing, and did not sand in between coats. I just would rather someone that knew what they were doing took it over.

What is expensive? $100? $500?

 

[Bob3700]

Check the archives for articles on this very thing. Good information for someone with skill and tools.

If you don't have either, have it done by someone who has been there before. A body man has painted metal and fiberglass surfaces and may not be familiar with using the clear coat on wood.

Bob

 

[NorCalMikie]

A large % of cars now are painted in 2 stages. Color then a clear coat. Find a body shop that's busy. They are painting "lots" of cars. Probably doing the clear coat most every day. They might be able to "slip it in" while they shoot clear on a job. It won't cost you anything to ask "how much".

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

Just went to a body shop this morning. I asked the guy what it would cost. He said if I would tape up everything that was not to be shot (recoil pad, pillars, barrel channel) he would shoot it with 3 coats, then wet sand, then shoot it with 3 more coats for $125, and it would take about 3 days.

Is that reasonable? should it have more than 6 coats? Do I need to do anything to the wood before I send it to him? there are some "knicks and dings" in the wood. Do I get filler, and then satin it again? Do I leave it alone? Do I fill it, and then sand everything down smooth?

 

[LarryDScott]

Wes, usually in the 100-150 range. I've seen some done w/automotive clear that really look good, but I have no idea, if any grain filling prep work was done in advance by the stock owner. If you dont get it done locally, contact Bill Shehane, he sells finished clear coated wood. I'm sure he could accomadate you. Another source, Greg West @ 540-890-9245. Greg now owns Richard Franklins stock making business. Larry in western Ky.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Had 3 different stocks that had been finished with Tru Oil. Sanded them down a little and had them shot with Automotive Clear Coat. Best finish you could ever want and the Tru Oil acted like a filler so they came out smooth as silk.
Only problem I've run into is that your cheek seems sticky on the stock. Might need some baby powder to make them slip in the bags??

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

I'm getting into 100-200 Bench Rest shooting, and I wax my stocks before each shoot, and I also sprinkle baby powder too. I shoot free recoil, and do not touch the stock at all, but that is for 100-200 shooting with my 30br.

This stock will be a 6br for 500-600 yards, and weighs 17#. so recoil should not be an issue at all. I was thinkabout about trying free recoil for this gun too.

 

[Preacher]

I use Gorilla glue as a filler as do lots of the top stockers when I'm clear coating a stock... Never ever caused a problem...
This ones about ready to buff out....

 

[GerryM]

Listen to my Twin Preacher"
He does Beautiful work. Not just with stockes either.

 

[mikecockcroft]

That sounds cheap. I sprayed 12 coats of auto lacquer on a Russo stock. The lacquer and reducer is very expensive. I built an oven to put it in after each coat.
It's a lot of work and the fumes are dangerous. Use a good mask. Up side was I did'nt have to drink as much beer at night after spraying.

 

[GerryM]

Bet you got a buzz out of that laquer ;D
After breathing it for a while , who needs beer? ;D
Really any of this stuff is tough to Breathe.
Your right you do need a good mask.

 

[Willys46]

I agree you should do more than 6 coats, but if the guy is good and dose not have to do as much wetsanding as i do, then you could get away with it.

Just to keep cost down I tired the Duplicolor all in one lacqure clear coat. It comes remixed. It was much eaiser and les expensive than the two part stuff.

I would call another shop and see what they would charge.

 

[barrowsr]

I would add one more comment about getting a auto body shop to finish my gun stock. Unless you would consider getting your transmission repaired by a gunsmith you might speak to some gunsmiths/stockmakers about the finish you seek for your rifle stock. I just think you'll be happier with the result, cost not withstanding. Good luck - there are not nearly as many stock makers as there are body shops.

Robin