I was refinishing an old Marlin 39 22LR stock today. I'm putting an oil finish back on it. As I rubbed the oil in & watched the wood drink it in, I realized something. I'm all the time doing everything I can to keep oil from running down on/in to my wood stocked rifles. You know that "oil-soaked, rotten wood" thing. So why do we use an oil finish on stocks? I'll give this one as much as it can take, and think I'm doing something good to it. Yet, afterwards, I'll take pains to keep oil from getting on the stock while I'm cleaning it. What's the difference?

I've done lots of oil-finishes on stocks, but never thought of this until today.

OK, be easy on me & try not to make me look like a moron...

I have done some refinishing of late on old pre 64 model 70's and in the checkering process I have found the wood near the action to be like mush in some places. There are some things you can do to "repair" the wood but the best thing is to keep your metal lubricants away from the stock.

Chic

I usually apply a coat of polymer car wax to my metal parts before putting the stock back on to deter rust without using alot of oil. - John

The "oils" used in wood finishing are actually various plant (and synthetic) resins, usually suspended in volatile organics (petroleum derivatives or alcohols); these evaporate and leave behind the dry resin as a sealer/finish. Machine and other oils are less volatile and would soak in and sit there, expanding and weakening the wood fibers; they also lack the resin ingredient.

Todd

daniel

Thank goodness for the hardeners and resins they add to linseed.

But get this , the factory-recommended stock treatment for Parker shotguns was a light rub-down with 3-in-1 oil.

Go figure.

I was looking into refinishing some furniture once upon a time, and decided that I didn't know enough about the gazillions of finishes in the local paint store.

I found this book to be very helpful in explaining how different finishes work, from oils to varnishes to shellac. I think of this as being a "must have" kind of book, unless you are Ray Atkinson and have already done everything (just kidding Ray ).

"Understanding Wood Finishing, by Bob Flexner".

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/104-1032179-5964731

Like I said, I figured there would be an easy answer, I just completely missed it.

Maybe sometimes I think too much...

OK, back to rubbing in another coat. "Wax on..., wax off...".

I recommend "Gunstock Finishing and Care" by Newell.

I think most oil damage in military surplus weapons is caused by cosmoline. In sporting rifles its most likely caused by owners who are terrified at the idea of removing the stock (some rightfully so). After having the gun out in the rain, many just spray it down with WD-40 or something.

In addition to putting car wax on the metal parts, I always put a coat or two of finish on all the interior surfaces of the stock and under the butplate. I still wonder why at least one gun manufacturer won't spend a few more pennies to do this. - John

I only had to intentionally screw up one refinishing project to convince my wife that I shouldn't redo furniture!

I'll be ok as long as she doesn't look in the safe!

quote:

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Originally posted by Need Just 1 More Gun:
...I'll be ok as long as she doesn't look in the safe!

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You and me both buddy! "Look, they're procreating!"

Tod