Refinishing rifle stock

[snuffy]

Thinking about refinishing the stock on an old Winchester 94.
Should I use a wood finish stripper before I sand it?

I would like a darker finish with not much gloss.

Any advice will be appreciated

 

[fireman32]

Wouldn’t hurt and could save some elbow grease. I did the same to an old Marlin 30-30 except I didn’t stain it. I used Minwax wipe on poly and applied coats until I got the sheen I liked. It’s stock was already fairly dark without any stain on it.

 

[snuffy]

Before

 

[bighonkinjeep]

Man I always prefer chemical over sandpaper when I can.
Sandpaper can quickly and permanantly affect fit between metal and wood even "just a little sanding" can quickly become too much and do more damage than good.
Use a wet washcloth and a clothes iron along with patience to raise dents. Works well for dents not so much for gouges.

As far as the stock in the pic. I'd most likely leave it as is. That looks like just good ol honest use to me and is much more desireable than most refinish jobs.
Also if you insist stay away from poly and or varnish and go with something like tru oil.
Might even try just raising any dents, letting it dry realky well and wiping some over what you've got.
Lots of videos online that can help before you start but just be careful and find some from trusted sources like Brownells or Midway USA. Lotta jack legs out there makin videos...
Good Luck

 

[snuffy]

I ordered this today.

 

[Lilly001]

True oil gives a beautiful finish. But it does require a lot of work.

 

[killerv]

I've done many old winchester stocks

I strip with citristrip

I'll then run the stock through a dishwasher with no detergent, hot water only, this will pull any remaining oil and actually pull out minor dents and scratches

I use formsby tung oil, atleast 6 coats, I'll start lightly sanding once its not soaking in as much.

I finish with a coat of minwax satin clear wipon poly. Just gives it a little bit of a shell.

Jacksfirst gun parts actually has a winchester stain if you want to get it back to the original as possible, but I've never used it.

 

[snuffy]

Thanks for all the advice!
Much appreciated and helpful l

 

[Dub]

I ordered this today.View attachment 1328561

Had that same kit arrive this week, too.

I will use in on a future project.





Currently though, I've been using 100% tung oil on a stock for an M1A.

I wanted a basic oil finish for this one.

It's coming along. It has been drying for 24 hrs and will get another 24hrs before I do anything else with it.


Sanded with 320 at different times prior to and after the first tung oil was rubbed in.

 

[snuffy]

Looking great Dub

 

[Darkhorse]

Snuffy, I wish I'd seen this sooner, I would have suggested the finish I use on all my muzzleloader builds. I have used Tru oil in the past but now use a product much easier to use and works just as well.
It is called Chambers original oil finish, only available (as far as I know) from Jim Chambers flintlock website. It makes a real durable finish and real easy to use. It can make a flawless shiney finish or knocked back by a scuff pad, fine steel wool or rottenstone make a fine satin finish.
This is the best photo I've got as my computer crashed last Christmas and I've lost most of them.

 

[snuffy]

That is a beautiful finish and rifle!
Thank you!

PS the lock is on the wrong side.