Gun Stock Question

[96trigger]

I have recently developed a hobby of buying old cheap guns and breaking them down, cleaning them, and refinishing the old wood. Much like many people do with furniture, but I really like guns. Anyhow, I'm not very good with all the products for stain and finish. I currently use the gunstock oil and that has been working good, but I want to put a hard coat on the outside of the oil for protection, does anyone have any idea what to do. I was looking at a polyurethane coat but that usually is for indoor use, any help would be appreciated.

P.S. Is the gunstock wax a good solution?

[jgeatz]

Polyurethane should be allright for that application. I used to redo golf clubs and that is what I used, I would dip the whole head of the club into it and let it drip dry. It worked good and was a hard enough finish to withstand the impact. Many thin coats are better than one thick coat.

[ice_shack]

I have done a few in my day and used polyurethane. Works OK but in my opinion it scratches way to easy and the scratches stand out. It's been awhile but I believe I settled on using multiple coats of tounge oil instead. It provides a good resistance to water without turning white and scratches don't stand out so bad. HTH

[Moose-Hunter]

I've refinished quite a few stocks and the finish you use is completely your choice. Oil or water based stains seem to work just fine with most applications. HOWEVER... If this firearm is going to be used (as opposed to a collector piece) make sure you use a final coat that will seal the pores of the wood. If you decide to go with a nice shiney poly, use the stuff made for wood counter tops and bars. I can't recall the name... It's a two part poly sold at many home improvement stores. My Browning O/U, I refinished four years ago, using that poly as a final coat, looks as good now as it did the the day I put her back together. And I'm not a "fair weather" hunter.

My last project was an older 870 pump. This piece came with the "flat" finished barrel and receiver, and semi gloss wood. I took this gun completely down and the wood was completely stripped... EXCEPT for the checkering. Those areas received only a light sanding, leaving some of the factory finish in the low areas. Final finish was almost a blonde/light oak color with a flat scheen. With the checkering still the darker "factory" finish, it came out with a very nice contrast and really set this gun off from all the other 870's in the field. Just thought I'd share...

[96trigger]

What do you mean by 2 part Poly, can I get it at menards? I used a gun sheen and conditioner on it but I wasn't impressed, it gave the stock a satin finish but it was blotchy, shiny in places and satin in others. I think that I'll lightly sand it down and reapply another coat of staining oil, then apply the poly after it dries thoroughly. The gun is an old stevens model 58 20 gauge bolt action. I had one when I was a kid wasn't able to hang on to it. I bought this one in Florida. It will probably never get used in the field until I get kids. I love the idea of starting the kids on a bolt action, but it might just stay in the gun safe.

[Moose-Hunter]

The stuff I used is sort of like an epoxy finish. A "finish" and a hardener combined to make that hard "shell" top coat. If memory serves, I got mine at home depot. When using oils, remember to allow plenty of dry time. I usually double the time recommended by the manufacturer. You want as much solvent to escape as possible.

I'm more of a "hands on" kind of guy when it comes to woodwork. I'm finding it very difficult to reply so my info may seem a bit confusing. I hope it helps a little...

Good luck with your Stevens!! Ahhh... the memories..

[96trigger]

Thanks all, I think I'll be able to get it done now, those were the answers I was looking for.