Will commercial, modern BLO usually darken wood? L1A1 FAL rifle: unknown wood types---

[Ignition Override]

Some comments on the net state that it does darken, and show household furniture before and after. I don't like most of the differences which are depicted After applying such oil.
No idea how many layers they used, if they can be quantified.

This is an ---Aussie/Brit--- rifle on an Imbel upper receiver, assembled by Century years ago.
Not only does the butt stock look like a different wood type than the handguards (these have clear grain); no visible grain seems to be in the butt.

If BLO does not normally darken walnut, beech or "coachwood", then I will consider it to preserve, but maybe it will add a tiny bit of shine-color?
These three wood types were often used on guns by the British Commonwealth during the "Cold" War.

Mostly checking here on BLO, but is there another (single) recommend oil which does Not require mixing or a long wait after applications? .....Only rubbing in is required?

 

[NMexJim]

Here’s a couple of stocks done eons (1960s) ago with BLO. They have never had to be retouched. You might pick up a slight tan or yellow tone as seen on the Savage stock, but I’ve always liked that. Walnut just takes on a great glow.

The way my Grandfather taught me was to warm the linseed in a double boiler (stuff is flammable as all get out). . That’s just a small can inside a larger can with rods X’d through the lips of all. Fill the outer with water and don’t do it in the wife’s kitchen. You want almost hot and use a rag pad. Really soaks in. Hang the stock with dowels or coat hangers and put out of the way somewhere halfway warm for a couple days. Wipe down and see how you like it.

The stock will have a warm, velvety feel that last a long time.

You can sand the wood under your butt plate or somewhere hidden to bare and try out the oil for effect there.

I don’t use BLO on more expensive stocks preferring Tung with some dryers or a more durable spray on like ChemPak Gun Saver Custom Oil finish. Those are a LOT more work. You can see no attempt was made to fill the grain. But, ‘Tis quick and easy.

 

[JohnKSa]

Virtually any finish (other than paint--depending on the color) is going to make wood look darker.

 

[NMexJim]

Like I said above, sand to bare under the butt plate or inside a handguard - somewhere inconspicuous - and try BLO there.

If the stock already has an oil finish, you won't change it much. Sanding won't take all of an oil finish off unless it is very thin.

 

[herrwalther]

There is really no way to tell how dark a stock is going to get when you put BLO on it. You can take two stocks made from the same wood and get different color after refinishing. I use two methods, often at the same time to give myself an idea of what wood will look like after BLO coats.

1) get a wet washcloth. Hot water. As hot as you can get it out of the tap. Rub onto a small section of the stock. Find a spot with good grain range. This will give you an idea of what a wet BLO coat will look like. And an idea of how dark it will be when dry. You can use a hair dryer on low if you don't want water seeping into the stock after you see what color you will be close to.
2) This method is fool proof for determining shade after BLO. Take a small amount and apply it to an unseen area of the stock. Places I have used are under the butt plate, under a grip cap, or inside the barrel/receiver channel. Let dry thoroughly. If you aren't happy with the shade after a coat or two, you will know without making a visible difference to the rest of the stock.

 

[sugarmaker]

This is a Birdseye Maple stock made with basic hand tools and finished with a broken glass shave and then boiled linseed oil

 

[Bwana John]

If it is Australian coachwood the only way to make it darker is to remove all previous finish and use a stain to darken the wood, not just a oil or urethane/clear coating.

 

[Mizar]

If you want to see how much the wood will darken with BLO, just rub some spit on it with your thumb - you'll get a general idea what to expect. If you don't want the wood darkening at all, but to be protected at the same time, just use some wax, like Renaissance wax, Birchwood Casey Gun stock wax and etc.