Thanks. I didn't know if the stock oils reacted with the plastic.

Tiggertate, it doesn't matter what the finish is. The oil is just a carrier for the grit. You gently take all of the residue off after you do the polish. I did not explain the process very well. But that is basically it. Dont rub to hard or polish too much. If you use 5f rottenstone you can put a shine back on it but it is not the high gloss.

I have a few Browning rifles with a veery shiney finish(factory) and I want to remove the shine without completely refinishing the stock.
a local smith said to rub it down with fine steelwool, using lindseed oil as a lubericant on the wool.
Any ideas or suggestions ?

Don't strip it. Rub it out to remove the shine. Add some automitive rubbing compound to the ultrafine steel wool. Use water as the lubricant. Make long strokes not little circles. I can't see how linseed ont top of polyurithane can have any good effect.

.358,

I would use either Rottenstone or Pumice stone with any oil finish to cut the shine. I apply it with a piece of hard felt but a cotton rag balled up and dipped into the oil and then the rottenstone will give you a nice flat finish. You can find those products at most stores that have wood finishing materials or at Btownells. I would NOT use steel wool. It will leave linear scratches, even with the finer grades.

What if it's not oil, Chic? I have a BBR that I'm contemplating too but I've never done anything other than scrape the poly finishes off.

I redid my 1885, sent the barreled action to a gunsmith for a 400grit finish. The stock I did myself with very fine wet/dry abrasive paper and water - just enough to remove the shine.

the browning ultraqshine (sometimes called 'wood chrome'.. at least by me) is PLASTIC.. more to the point, an epoxy finish.. winchester uses the same stuff on featherweight stocks..

abrasion is the only way to get rid of it.

Harry, I even kept a featherweight stock "wet" for about 24 hours, and it just barely DULLED the finish.. if i had rubbed it with a scotch pad, I bet it would have shined right back up.

I bet a sandblaster, with glassbeads, would help LOL

jeffe

Thanks for the encouragement

opps, forgot to mention what i got it wet with...

critistrip

jeffe