stock refinishing: could use some advice (pics)

[1KPerDay]

Birch 10/22 stock on top, Winchester 67A walnut (I think) below, after 3 rounds of citri-strip






After about an hour of sanding; mineral spirits pics below











Questions:
1. should I use a "wood conditioner"/sealer before oil/stain?
2. if I just use plain BLO will they look like they do in the mineral spirits pics?
3. what's the best way to get dried citri-strip gel out of the inletting? I assume it will still be corrosive to the metal, right?


I'm not happy with how blotchy the birch is but I guess that's the nature of the beast. I liked the tiger-strip in it, and wouldn't have stripped it but the PO had put something caustic against it in spots and blistered the OEM finish.

 

[stan rose]

If you want to even out the Birch stock, use Minwax pre-stain conditioner, one or two coats of stain and then oil. Wait at least 24 hours after the last stain application before oiling.

 

[788Ham]

Maybe jimmyraythomason will be along here shortly, this mans a guru deluxe on stock finishing! Jimmy had given me some advice about a year back, that old Rem. #33 .22 is now a show piece!

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks stan. I have that conditioner and will use it on the birch at least.

 

[1KPerDay]

I grew impatient:

Sanded at 220 and 320, whiskered with water and a hair dryer, sanded with 320






Wood conditioner and minwax oil stain (red oak color)





I'll let them dry overnight and see how they look tomorrow. Maybe do BLO on mine and a less maintenance intensive finishing wax or something on my father-in-law's.

 

[Tim the student]

I think they look pretty good.

If you want a nice wax, check out Tom's 1/3. I've used it on a couple stocks, and have always been pleased with it.

 

[stan rose]

I think they look pretty nice, if you are interested in finishing them off with a great oil finish look at the sticky concerning Min Wax antique oil finish. It really does come out nice.

 

[JimfromTrafalgar]

For finish, I would suggest Brownell's Pro Custom. It's basically BLO with some poly in it to help with moisture resistance and drying. Mix 50/50 with mineral spirits. You can come up with any finish you desire using this stuff, and the 50/50 mix is very user friendly.
Luck,
Jim

 

[1KPerDay]

I think they look pretty good.

If you want a nice wax, check out Tom's 1/3. I've used it on a couple stocks, and have always been pleased with it.

I have 2 tins of it; love it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiOUXOpN7DA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7NcDR7-i6Y

 

[velocette]

I might suggest that you look no further than the first sticky at the top of this category. The results of that finish are superb!

Roger

 

[langenc]

Im too late but would have said--sand more cause the pic of the two on your hand w/ green grass in the background has 'streaks' in it. Yep the stained wood is streaked, most likely still finish that was not completely removed.

Id have Tru-Oiled em and buffed off between coats and after the last coat.
TO is very shinny but wooling make it a very nice matte finish.

 

[1KPerDay]

Lange, I definitely could have sanded more carefully/better. There are scratches from when I got impatient and went to 60 grit to get the old stain off. I should have done a round or two more with citristrip. Tru oil definitely next time, or even on these once this finishing wax wears off.

After Minwax Paste Finishing Wax. They look a lot lighter in these pics due to the flash... but you can see the semi-satin finish. They are the same darker color as in previous pics.

I have a feeling the wax won't be as durable as it needs to be, particularly on the 10/22 which gets shot a lot, and I'll end up having to use some type of varnish or more durable finish.

 

[1KPerDay]

for those none interested, click for larger pics.

 

[1KPerDay]