Finishing a custom laminated rifle stock suggestions

12777 Views 7 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Ram Rod, Oct 17, 2009

Ram Rod

Discussion Starter · Sep 30, 2009

Looking for the voice of experience here. I just purchased a Boyd's Barracuda thumbhole stock for one of my 10/22's that comes unfinished. It's the Bumble Bee color choice, and I would like it to turn out semi-glossy, and even better than my previous Pepper 'Blaster' stock which was finished when I bought it. Looking for best suggestions on oil or clearcoat, and best products because I want this stock to come out looking smokin' hot. I've never finished or refinished a rifle stock before, and just a little bit of experience refinishing wood furniture. Thanks all.
This is the Blaster stock...similar, but same colors. Pretty much how I want this to turn out.

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mr surveyor

· #2 · Sep 30, 2009

I've never done a laminated stock, but have done a few others. I really like Danish Oil, hand rubbed in with varying degree grit wet/dry paper. If the wood is already slick, start with 1200 for the first two or three rubs (one per day), then move to 1500. You want to work the sanding dust, what little there is, into the open pores of the wood with the oil. That really seals the surface. By the time you've done 8-10 rubs, the wood surface will be almost like hard rock candy, and won't have that "plastic" look. Just a deep luster.

surv

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Ram Rod

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 30, 2009

How will this do in your opinion?
https://www.hardwareworld.com/Defthane-Clear-Natural-p7OAJKR.aspx

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QKShooter

· #4 · Sep 30, 2009

Well, if the stock is laminated then chances are good that the laminations are resin filled either Epoxy or Acrylic resin.
If the stock is waterproof (AKA if water beads up on it and does not soak in) then it's impregnated.

You Should be able to just sand the stock with progressively finer sandpaper (3m Wet or Dry) and then move on to fine steel wool or automotive type rubbing/polishing compound like white #7.

Your stock will probably take a nice natural polish without you having to add a surface coat of anything to it.

If you get it really finely sanded then you can just final finish it with a coat of fine paste wax or Renaissance Wax would be great and is easily and perfectly restored just by lightly rewaxing.

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Ram Rod

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 30, 2009

QKShooter said:
Well, if the stock is laminated then chances are good that the laminations are resin filled either Epoxy or Acrylic resin.
If the stock is waterproof (AKA if water beads up on it and does not soak in) then it's impregnated.

You Should be able to just sand the stock with progressively finer sandpaper (3m Wet or Dry) and then move on to fine steel wool or automotive type rubbing/polishing compound like white #7.

Your stock will probably take a nice natural polish without you having to add a surface coat of anything to it.

If you get it really finely sanded then you can just final finish it with a coat of fine paste wax or Renaissance Wax would be great and is easily and perfectly restored just by lightly rewaxing.

Well, here's the gist of it all. Saving some coin, and I like DIY projects. I just want this first one to turn out primo if you know what I mean. I do think this stock will take a minimum amount of time and effort to look best, but I don't want to screw up a good thing. If this turns out well, I may want to rework my pepper laminate for better results. I'll know better what it needs once it arrives. I appreciate all of the input. My confidence in this undertaking is becoming better with support. Thank you all.

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mr surveyor

· #6 · Oct 1, 2009

QKShooter is most likely correct about the laminate material. As I said, I have not tried to work a laminate stock, but I do have a newly acquired M77 with a Boyd's stock that I am considering trying some oil on. I figure the Danish oil with 1200 wet/dry can't hurt, and may even bring some luster.

surv

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Ram Rod

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 14, 2009

Thanks for all of the replies. I actually finished the stock this past weekend. Like I said, I had input from another forum as well. The gist of things....I sanded, and I sanded, and sanded some more even when I thought I couldn't do no more. The stock came in decent shape...otherwise I wouldn't have been able to do this with just sandpaper. Started with 220 and finished with 320 even though I had bought some 400 grit just in case. All dry sanding with a wipe of damp all cotton towel in between sessions. About two times a day for four days, and assess certain areas especially the palm swell and thumbhole and larger exposed surfaces. I went with the Deft Clear Wood Finish aerosol in semi-gloss from Lowes at $5.89 a can and bought two cans. Between last Friday night, and early Sunday morning, I applied a total of twelve coats (first can giving nine), sanding out some runs and other peculiar spots, and sometimes just giving more than enough time to cure. The Deft dries in 30 minutes by the way. But I left room for environmental conditions (since I had to spray outside in humid conditions at lower temperatures from 40-50° between bouts of rain and mist under cover). This stuff is like enamel, and soft after drying times under the conditions. I bought a Boyd's finished pepper laminate years ago for almost twice what I paid for this one, and it isn't as good as this one turned out to be. I think I'll be re-finishing it with the remainder of the second can of Deft that I have. I know......I was stupid for not posting before pics, but in the near future, I'll be posting after pics. Everything came out well IMO, and since I've done this, I'll be able to pass on my experience to the next person who found a good deal on an unfinished laminate gun stock off EBay. I'm happy, and more importantly.....my wife is happy with the outcome. The E.R.Shaw Helical fluted 18" blued barrel is on order to top it all off. Again...I think she'll have top of the line on this one, and she brings out the best in me. My 10/22 will be outgunned now in all departments for sure. And it's going to be beautiful. Pics will be up soon. I promise.

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Ram Rod

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 17, 2009

The E.R.Shaw 18" barrel should be here by the end of next week. I put the original Ruger Target barrel in the action for this pic, and we plan on putting some lead downrange the first of next week anyway.

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