Fella's I need a hand, I have a Universal M1 Crbine that I'm playing with and yes I know they are not worth much the whole reason I'm playing with it. My question is the stock is pretty banged up and I would like to refinish it but I'm not sure what the right way to go to get the correct color and finish to be right. I normally just use True Oil but don't think it would work on this stock there is some color or stain. Any help would be great! Later,

Kirk

Are you stripping it down to bare wood ?.

Walnut or Beech wood ?. What color are you looking for ? a military darker oil finish ?.

The beech will need stain for sure walnut not so much . If I were doing it I would clean with solvent

out side and wear gloves really wash it down . Next sand any imperfections or fill and sand depending on

severity as well as desired finish . Now I prefer Alcohol, Lacquer or dye seal stains , there solvent

soluble which also means you can add them too Tru Oil or nearly any other ( except water based ) finish

which you chose for finial finish . Wear gloves use a clean ( White ) lint less rag or Tee shirt pieces .

Mix some stain ( a Red Hue Brown stain would be correct for WW11 appearances ) just a small amount in

either alcohol or lacquer thinner like maybe a cup of thinner and a teaspoon of dye stain .

Try a small area underside of the butt stock . Like the color ? NO !. Want it darker or lighter ?.

Add thinner to lighten or another 1/2 teaspoon of dye stain to darken . Color correct now !.

I use a small folded piece of white cloth 4X4 2 3 layers thick . Wearing gloves dip the rag into the stain

thinner mixture apply either pulling or pushing complete strokes forearm too butt lap repeat .

If your not real fast or sure of yourself , you can add mineral spirits too the alcohol or lacquer

Prior to starting , it gives more time and is easier to blend out ( No lap marks ) Clean lacquer thinner

will also smooth out lapping marks if done quickly enough .

Brushing is sucky as it leaves stroke marks . I use a small automotive detail gun to spray mine on and rub

blend after words or to spray other colors or final finishes .

You can also add DYE SEAL STAINS TOO TRU OIL and Rub them in , then repeat to darken or wipe with thinner

to lighten . BOL ...

I've used a mix that works well for me on furniture projects.

30% boiled linseed oil, 50% pure tung oil, and 20% satin poly (oil base). Hand rub with white scotchbrite pad.

I was going to strip it down to bare and I believe it's beech it's an awful light color. That was much more information than I thought I'd get but thank you very much for the play by play instructions! I'm pretty good with woodworking but there are still a mess of tricks I don't know! I appreciate the advice fella's THANK YOU. Later,

Kirk