Stock finishing question???

[bobinpa]

I am looking for opinions on which spray can finish to use for a clear high gloss finish on a laminated stock and a fiberglass stock. In the past I have used the GUN SAV'Râ„¢ high gloss finish from Brownell's, and the stocks have looked good, but I am looking for something deeper. I hear guys talking about automotive clear but I don't know that I would be able to get what I am looking for in a rattle can.
I do have cabinet making and finishing experience so prep work isn't an issue, I just don't have spray equipment.
Thanks in advance.
Bob

 

[CatShooter]

I use spray poly in cans - it is clear glass like and deep... and it's tough.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I have used automotive clear coat and and automotive wheel clear coat in the past. I keep going back to Gun Sav'R from Brownells as it seems to be a little more scratch resistant and coats a little easier with less chance of dripping. Gun Sav'R can give you a nice deep finish, but you will have to apply 6-8 coats in the given time frames for instructions on the can. I don't think two or three coats is enough because it goes on so thin. Do at least 6 coats, see how it looks, and do a couple more if you want it a little thicker. Just be careful not to spray the Gun Sav'R coating on too thick in the later stages as it has a better chance of running once all the pores and lines of the wood are filled. Especially when using the gloss

A good sanding job is of utmost importance as well. Once the stock is bare, I will usually hit it with 220 grit sand paper, then wash it down really good with a wet cloth. Once it dries, you will see hairs on the wood standing up. Keep hitting it with 220 grit, washing a wet cloth, and letting it dry until no more hairs are standing up. You can do a final finish with 320grit, wash and dry. The stock should feel perfectly smooth when you run your fingers across it after the final drying. Then it is ready for coating and the gloss finish will stand out much nicer by highlighting all the beauty of the wood.

 

[broncman]

+1 .

Minwax Helmsman ! Comes in several gloss levels and works better than any other spray urethane I have tried. Next to full on automotive clear, it is great. Even better than the spray bomb automotive clears you get at the auto parts store.

 

[3dogs]

Check with a store that sells auto refinish products, they may be able to load automotive clear in a rattle can for you, or check with a body shop, might get some one to shoot your ready to spray stock when they are finishing off a car.
Jim

 

[broncman]

My other hobby is painting and restoring old cars. If you have a little time, you can purchase a cheap spray gun and do it your self.

DuPont makes a wonderful clear called "Multi Mix Snap Dry". It is what I use on my stocks. It dries to the dust free stage very fast and that is what makes it perfect for the DIY guy in his garage etc. Excellent deep gloss.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

My other hobby is painting and restoring old cars. If you have a little time, you can purchase a cheap spray gun and do it your self.

That would definitely be a better way to apply an automotive clear coat. I only ever used the cheap aerosol can stuff intended for touch up. Didn't work as well as I would have liked, but it still made a pretty stock.

I just like how Gun Sav'R penetrates deep into the wood grains like an oil with the first couple coats to seal it completely. The cheap rattle can automotive clear coat was more like a paint that only gave a top coat covering the wood.

 

[bobinpa]

Thanks guys. Would you use the Brownell's finish on a fiberglass stock?

 

[Ledd Slinger]

You could, but Gun Sav'R is meant for wood. Would definitely recommend automotive clear coat for a fiberglass stock as it will be covering a paint or coating of some sort.

You have to paint or apply some other type of coating on a fiberglass stock first. Ever seen a fiberglass stock in raw form? Pretty ugly. Gotta tap on them with a small hammer everywhere to reveal any air pockets. Then knock out the air pockets and fill the holes with bondo. Re-sand. Finishing a fiberglass stock is a pain in the rear.

Hydrodipping works good for both wood and fiberglass.

PS: Brownells only sells 'Gun Savr', its not their brand so it's not exactly right to call it 'Brownells finish'. Believe it is made by Chem-Pak or something like that. Pretty sure MidwayUSA sells it too.

 

[bobinpa]

Thanks again. I kind of figured the GUN SAV'Râ„¢ was meant for wood. I also realize that it isn't made by Brownells..... I was just a being lackadaisical in my last post. Actually the fiberglass job is what has me thinking of trying to find an automotive clear in a rattle can. The stock is a McMillan MBR, swirley, from Bill Shehane. It's not a raw fiberglass. It has a gel coat of some type, but my buddy (a member here) wants a deep shiny clear on it, which would give me an excuse to try something different on my African Obeche MBR Tracker.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Might as well give it a shot and try to knock out two birds with one stone. It won't turn out bad, I know that. You might even like it better. Who knows.

I usually go to Checker, Napa or O'Reilly's for the best automotive rattlecan paint and coating selections.

I actually use spray can truck bed liner on some of my polymer or composite stocks. Has to be the NAPA brand though. Everything else is too rubbery or has the wrong texture. The NAPA bed liner makes for a great gripping surface, looks really good, it's very tough, and touch up is a breeze should you ever damage it. Actually my favorite coating for synthetic stocks.

 

[LCazador]

My other hobby is painting and restoring old cars. If you have a little time, you can purchase a cheap spray gun and do it your self.

DuPont makes a wonderful clear called "Multi Mix Snap Dry". It is what I use on my stocks. It dries to the dust free stage very fast and that is what makes it perfect for the DIY guy in his garage etc. Excellent deep gloss.

Broncman, is that a two part mix and is it available in small quantities like a pint? Thanks

 

[Uthink Uknow]

I would definitely go with a body shop to do the clear coat. Not only does a good shop know how to spray an article, they've done it several times. Most importantly they do the painting and the curing in a dust free environment. Also they won't use a pint, they'll do it with an ounce.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I would definitely go with a body shop to do the clear coat. Not only does a good shop know how to spray an article, they've done it several times. Most importantly they do the painting and the curing in a dust free environment. Also they won't use a pint, they'll do it with an ounce.

I think the whole point of this topic is how to DIY.

 

[LCazador]

I use spray poly in cans - it is clear glass like and deep... and it's tough.

Catshooter you've got some very nice single shots there! Does the poly fill the checkering? What do you do with the checkering?

 

[wwbrown]

My other hobby is painting and restoring old cars. If you have a little time, you can purchase a cheap spray gun and do it your self.

DuPont makes a wonderful clear called "Multi Mix Snap Dry". It is what I use on my stocks. It dries to the dust free stage very fast and that is what makes it perfect for the DIY guy in his garage etc. Excellent deep gloss.

Broncman, is that a two part mix and is it available in small quantities like a pint? Thanks

Dupont sold the line to Axalta and I saw the coat below listed as the Dupont replacement. I am no expert so you should verify this.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Axalta-ChromaClear-G2-7779S-Quart-With-7775S-Activator-/171510003014