Toning down the color of a laminated stock

[SteveOak]

Apologies to the guy I bought it from if you see this. I am otherwise very pleased!

The color of this stock just doesn't work for me. Everything else about the stock is awesome! It is a Master Class, it is left handed, it was already bedded for the action I was buying, adjustable butt pad, etc. If I were to start with only the action and buy a stock, this would be pretty much it, other than the color. LOL

I could do paint or have it hydro dipped or wrapped, but I really like the look of laminated stocks.

I was thinking I could bleach it and stain it so I contacted Alex at Master Craft. Seems that the color is dyed into the individual laminations before the stock is glued together so the color goes all the way to the bone, so to speak.

Would a stain tone it down? I'm thinking of trying Minway semi-transparent black stain. I don't want to completely eradicate the lamination layers, just tone down the green. Does anyone know if wood stain would help? I know nothing about it. My woodworking experience is zero. I could try it on the barrel channel to see what it does.

It likely has some sort of clear coat which I would have to remove. I don't think the barrel channel needs to be opened up to accomodate a 1.35" diameter barrel but some sandpaper on a tube should take any clear off.

Any input appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[B Nettesheim]

Angelus leather dyes are my recommendation,
Pick a color and try it on a cutoff, you’ll need to sand it back after applying it with sandpaper, steel wool or scotch brite.

 

[SteveOak]

Would that permit some of the grain/laminations to show through?

 

[whatwind?]

It’s already stained birch, like the above post states, use leather dyes and sand a lot, they are 3 diffeeent shard of brown, I would start there

 

[Walt Krafft]

The finish that is on it has probably soaked into the wood. This would probably prevent any dye from penetrating without sanding down to completely fresh wood. Brett would be your man to know. @Bc'z

 

[tobnpr]

I've never attempted what you want to do with a laminated stock, but my concern is that it's going to end up a very uneven-looking dye job. The birch ply sheets are dyed and then pressed/glued under very high pressure when manufactured. New dye is going to be absorbed differently as grain direction varies greatly in a laminated stock, I don't think it will be easy- if possible at all- to get an even finish.

 

[SteveOak]

I've never attempted what you want to do with a laminated stock, but my concern is that it's going to end up a very uneven-looking dye job. The birch ply sheets are dyed and then pressed/glued under very high pressure when manufactured. New dye is going to be absorbed differently as grain direction varies greatly in a laminated stock, I don't think it will be easy- if possible at all- to get an even finish.

Thanks for the responses.

I'm pretty sure the intent of using different colors of laminated wood is to achieve an uneven look.

My goal is to change the color to something that does not look as though it was sourced from an infants diaper. LOL

I would prefer rattle can flat black to the present look.

 

[Bc'z]

The laminate is impregnated with epoxy, trying dye it or use any stain will likely just leave it laying on surface.
I've tried covering blonde spots in laminate with dye with no luck.
However a candy color over the laminate will change the appearance yet leave the laminate visible, this I do on a regular basis.
Masterclass stock in woodland camorootbeer and orange candy on

 

[LVLAaron]

damn you

 

[Bc'z]

damn you

So be it brother!! Lol
That stock was done in my early days painting stocks, I made the candy colors using dyes and intercoat clear.
Then to top it off, the USPS damaged it in shipping and I had the pleasure of fixing it and spotting it in.

 

[Bc'z]

The damage and the repair
The impactthe repair
And just like that, its like it never happened.

 

[urbanrifleman]

So cool.

 

[KMW 1954]

Absolutely in love with that color!

 

[KMW 1954]

How well does that candy turn out on solid walnut like a Richards?

 

[Bc'z]

How well does that candy turn out on solid walnut like a Richards?

Just fine provided your foundation is solid.
You need to have wood prepared with epoxy of choice, or a polyester primer such as i use, making sure you don't have any pinholes pores or exposed wood before applying.
Here's a walnut and a maple stock that I used rootbeer and pagan gold candy on.
Walnut
Maple that was dyed 1st
Here's a red n Grey Jason Avila with a few coats of apple red applied
The candy will add a layer of depth and richness to your foundation as well as bring in additional color

 

[DShortt]

The laminate is impregnated with epoxy, trying dye it or use any stain will likely just leave it laying on surface.
I've tried covering blonde spots in laminate with dye with no luck.
However a candy color over the laminate will change the appearance yet leave the laminate visible, this I do on a regular basis.
Masterclass stock in woodland camoView attachment 1679026rootbeer and orange candy onView attachment 1679027

That is astonishing. I'd never guessed such a thing was possible.

WoW!

 

[whatwind?]

Giving you/us the secrets for free, thank you

 

[ronemus]

You could avoid sanding and a complete refinish by overcoating it with a dark semi-transparent polyurethane; just wipe down with acetone or paint thinner to remove any wax, then apply. The worst case would be sanding off both finishes to start over. If you're not married to a gloss finish, you could just lightly sand with fine paper to make a matte finish - that would dull the colors; abrasive blasting would also work, but you'd have less control. I'm averse to doing more work than necessary to get the desired outcome (always looking for the easy button).

 

[swd]

Giving you/us the secrets for free, thank you

It's one thing to give his secrets away, it's another for any other mere mortals to do what Brett does, LOL

 

[Greg@wfcustom]

It's one thing to give his secrets away, it's another for any other mere mortals to do what Brett does, LOL

^^^^^ Nuf said.
Easy button,
Just send it to Brett.