In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

TRU-OIL Finish restoration?

HandLoadHandLoad Member Posts: 15,998 ✭
edited January 2008 in Ask the Experts
Like I have posted elsewhere, I have Inherited a true Work Of Gunsmithing Art from my Father - Made by Chick Donnelly, of Siskyou Gun Works, out of Grants Pass, Oregon. It has a few scratches on the Beautiful English Walnut stock. Chick tells me that Heinz, who did the stock, used Tru-Oil to finish it. The wood is exceptional, with figuring in straight lines from one end to the other, on both sides. There is a couple of "Gun Safe Rash" scratches, and I would like to eliminate/minimize/hide them. Is there a way for me to do so?
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • scrubberguyscrubberguy Member Posts: 219 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Handload:
    The advantage to Tru-oil is it's ability to blend with original coats of the same product(tru-oil) IF it has not been covered with something else!

    I would "feather" the scratches with as fine a sand paper as I could find. I amazed some friends once with a few sheets of 1800 grit to do some paint work with. Check your yellow pages for a auto body supply shop in your area and you'll find sand paper like this.

    After you "feather" the scratches wipe the stock off with a "tack rag" and using aerosal tru oil do some very light spraying and let set overnight (24 hours) sand and repeat until the marks are gone.

    wait a month and then rub out the finish with flitz semi chrome polish and a damp rag.

    This should bring your stock back to pristine condition!

    Good luck and be very carefull tru oil is the nicest finish but is also the most fragile.[8D]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HandLoadHandLoad Member Posts: 15,998 ✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks so much! I've gotta keep this one as perfect as I can. It is the most Custom Rifle anyone in my family has ever had, and I want it to go down through the Generations.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CapnMidnightCapnMidnight Member Posts: 8,038 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Handload,
    Instead of sand paper, try 000 then 0000 steel whool. I touch up my hunting rifles every year, and they are done in Tru-oil, it's good stuff. Good luck.
    W.D.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • riflecrankriflecrank Member Posts: 6 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Do not use steel wool. Steel wool sheds steel particles that get imbeded in the stock and then rust. Use 600 grit wet or dry sandpaper and use it wet. I use mineral spirits as a wetting agent. Lightly sand the damaged areas of your stock in a random motion with a sanding sponge or block if it is a sharp edge. Do not round off any sharp edges. Most custom stocks have a hand rubbed finish and that is the easiest to apply. After you have removed the offending scratches reapply Tru-oil in very light coats and build up the finish over a period of couple of weeks. Make sure that your coat is completely dry before apply another coat. If the stock has a high gloss finish use Behlen's buffers polish to final finish.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CapnMidnightCapnMidnight Member Posts: 8,038 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Crank,
    Good point, it's always worked for me, but I guess even an old dawg can learn new tricks. Thanks for the tip.
    W.D.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.