Stain Colors for rifle stocks??

[phantomak47]

Since the wife is going out of town this weekend, I thought I would refinish my SAR 1 stock. I plan on using probally a minwax stain and then use a very light clear gloss spray.


I am thinking about doing a lighter red (not interested in the favored dark red stain) or possibly a blonde stain...

What are some of the favored stains? What about minwax gunstock?

http://www.minwax.com/products/woodstain/woodfinish-color.cfm

 

[rbernie]

I use an ebony stain on non-walnut stocks. It's very striking.

 

[swingset]

Red Mahogany is a great stain color - especially if you mix it in your clear coat instead of applying it directly, really bolds up the grain while keeping the wood color pretty much intact.

Here's what that technique looks like on std. walnut, for instance:

 

[phantomak47]

swingset,

What was your exact process for doing that stock?

 

[Mr White]

I used a stain by Zar called Honey Maple on my Yugo SKS when I got it, and it came out really nice. I'm at work now. I'll post a picture of it later this evening or tomorrow.

 

[Plink]

If you can find the color you're looking for in a water or spirit based stain, you'll probably get better results. Oil based stains like Minwax often stain gunstocks unevenly due to the different grain angles. At least I've never had any luck with them.

 

[Mr White]

That looks nice, Swingset. I used red mahogony on my Garand and then rubbed it out with linseed oil. It came out a bit darker than your carbine but still had that nice reddish color to it.

 

[Hokkmike]

I am going to do my WASR too. I figured it would look better to make the stocks as close in possible to color as the bayonet handle. Kind of a darker reddish brown. I had heard that minwax was a good choice, AFTER you had degreased the wood.

 

[.45Guy]

I,ve always been partial to Moorish Teak.

 

[phantomak47]

Has anyone tried doing the blonde type color that is on some ak47s?

 

[swingset]

swingset,

What was your exact process for doing that stock?

On dry, clean wood, I mix boiled linseed oil and turpentine in a 50/50 mix, and add a small amount of Red Mahogany dye to it.

I heat the mix up slightly so it's warm to the touch, and rub it into the stock. This first treatment really dissolves into the wood - doesn't stain much but penetrates really deep. After that, I hand-rub Tung Oil with a little bit of stain mixed in (also heated up slight), let dry overnight and repeat 5-6 times, then buff the stock with a buffing pad. You can also knock the shine off with 0000 wool if you don't like it glassy looking.

It's a very durable, water resistant and authentic looking finish - very much resembles military BLO treatment but is more durable.