Advice on Stock refinishing

[Adicted]

I picked up a 308 lever action Model 99e for a 100 bucks the other day and want to re-do the wood to make it look really sharp. The guy didnt take care of it at all so I want to re do it. I know Ihave to sand it down, but give me some advice or basic steps. Doesnt have to be professional but look nice.

 

1. What size sand paper?

2. What kind of stain?

3. Any sealers, etc????

[muledeerarea33?]

If you don't want to keep it original or if its really bad. I've used chemical strippers and a pressure washer for older millitary surplus guns, let it dry for a few weeks then look it over and see if it needs a light sanding. If its got an oil finish on it you'll be able to tell how deep it's penetrated by pulling the butt plate off. A tung oil rubbed stock with steel wool comes out nice. If you want a shine and coating the spray shelacks are easy to use but also can chip during heavy use. Use a few good quality tack rags before and after coats of oil.

[rcdinaz]

Here is an article from Outdoor Life. If you stain it, maybe a little different process than the oiled finish.

 

http://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/jim-carmichel/2007/09/refinish-your-rifles-stock

[123456]

A nicely sanded stock with a few coats of birchwood casey tru-oil looks great.

[PRDATR]

A nicely sanded stock with a few coats of birchwood casey tru-oil looks great.

 

This stuff works really well. My son who has no experience with wood used it on a 10/22 stock and it came out looking very nice. I had him strip the original finish off with a product called CITRISTRIP which is easy to use and comes in a spray can.

Now after stripping off the original finish and washing it all off with warm water and a soft brush to get it out of the pores in the wood let it dry for a couple of days. You can get minor dents and scratches out by wetting them with an eye dropper. This will cause the wood to swell after 10 - 20 minutes and you can "raise" the dent out by laying a wet paper towel or wash cloth over it and using an iron set on steam which will raise the dent out.

Sand the stock using extra fine sand paper to start with. When you are ready to apply the finish use a can of spray duster to remove the dust from sanding and go to Home Depot and look in the paint department for a product called a "Tack Cloth" to get the rest of the dust off.

The Birchwoods will cover any kind of stain but chances are the stock is Walnut and will not need to be stained. The 99 is in my opinion the Holy Grail of lever actions. PM me if you have any questions. The nice thing about wood is you don't like the way it comes out you can sand it down and start all over.

I've done wood working since JR High School including building furniture and a few boats over the last 45 years.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Citristrip-17-oz-Safer-Paint-and-Varnish-Stripper-ECG73807/100164441?cm_mmc=shopping-_-googleads-_-pla-_-100164441&skwcid&kwd=&ci_sku=100164441&ci_kw=&ci_gpa=pla&ci_src=17588969

[Lucafu1]

i just tried this and gave up and painted mine. it will have to wait till i find someone to do it in tucson. im a metal guy so working with wood isnt for me.

[biglakejake]

i would avoid tru-oil and go with an unstained tung oil finish. M99's had walnut up until the end and even a lighter grade of walnut goes well with tung or varnish. tru-oil for display guns-tung for hunting rifles.

 

lee

[muledeerarea33?]

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i just tried this and gave up and painted mine. it will have to wait till i find someone to do it in tucson. im a metal guy so working with wood isnt for me.

if you need a stock done let me know, I'm near Tucson, I enjoy wood working and ill do it for material plus friendship and beer haha! Maybe trade for metal work at the house.

[BRYCE CANYON]

Sent you a PM

[Lv2hnt]

Prdatr:

 

Sent you a PM today ...