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De-glossing a gun stock
otter6412
Member Posts: 91 ✭✭
I picked up a vintage military rifle where it appears the prior owner applied some kind of gloss finish. I'm wondering If I can de-gloss that finish without screwing things up. The paint stores sell stuff called de-glosser, but I've never used any.
Thanks
Thanks
Comments
You don't know what is on the stock, and de glosser may damage or remove it.
I'd strip it with Formby's furniture stripper, rubbing gently with 0000 steel wool. Then, I'd refinish with Formby's tung oil, rubbing with the steel wool between coats (3 coats).
Neal
You can re-search such on-line, how to use, etc (you remove the high gloss from a gunstock by using it with a soft cloth similar to using pumice or toothpaste. Do it little bit at a time, because it does it's thing faster than you would think so.
I do not like to use steel wool, it's not as user friendly.
Birchwood casey also has a very good reasonably price stock finishing kit. ($16) suing tru-oil and the finish can be controlled from low gloss to high gloss. The more coats installed the higher the gloss. The stock sheen conditioner is used AFTER all is dry if the finished stock has too high a gloss. I've found that instead of using fingers when applying additional coats of tru-oil with this kit, use 800-1200 grit wet dry sandpaper to apply the additional coats, keep the sandpaper wet with tru-oil.
This applys the additional coat and at same time you are polishing and leveling the undercoats. Follow all the instructions in the kit but just use the find wet/dry for installing additional coats of tru-oil.
If you decide to try the Caseys stock sheen conditioner use it in a small area at first on your stock so as to test. compatibility.
https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/stock-work-finishing/stock-rubbing-compounds/felt-pads-assortment-1-pad-of-each-densities-sku839295000-12713-30728.aspx?rrec=true
Since you have it available locally try the de-glosser in a small inconspicuous spot to see if it gives the results you want.
With that said, I'd use rottenstone and a medium felt pad. At the link is says to mix with linseed oil, but it can also be mixed with water but will settle out and need stirred frequently. Just work slowly with light pressure on the pad.