Author Topic: Alcohol based stains on a gun stock?  (Read 1421 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Mad Dog

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 481
Alcohol based stains on a gun stock?
« on: April 20, 2009, 01:05:22 AM »
I used to use Fiebings[sp] leather dye when making wood arrows, back in the 90's.  It dried quick, and gave a great look to the arrows.  I was wondering if anyone has used the leather dye to stain a gun stock and forearm?  I have an old topper, that I am thinking of stripping the old finish, following the usual prep work, then applying the alcohol dye, before applying the final weather proof finish.  Any thoughts?

Mad Dog
Mad Dog

Offline petemi

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (73)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7386
  • Gender: Male
Re: Alcohol based stains on a gun stock?
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2009, 03:27:26 AM »
I've got an old Handi pallet wood stock with a nice grain.  I bought the rifle for the frame.  When I got it, it had what I believe to be construction adhesive dripped across it in two places.  I tried a couple of things to take it off and then hit on pvc clear cleaner.  It took the glue and the old finish right off.  I'm going to try to steam out a couple of dings and then I was going to finish it with Tung Oil.  Anyone got any ideas on that?  Will it hold up in the weather?

I was wondering, if your arrows held up well, why wouldn't a rifle stock?  I never tried leather dye, but I know I don't want any kind of staining varnish on it.  I'd like an oil stain.

Pete
Keep both eyes open and make the first shot good.
The growing Handi/Sportster/Pardner/Topper Family:  .22 WMR, .22-250. 223, Two Superlight 7mm-08s and one .243, .30-30,  .308, 32-20, 18 inch .356/.358 Win., Two 16.5 inch .357 Max., 18 inch 38-55 BC Carbine, 16.5 inch .445 Super Mag., .45LC, 16.5 and 22 inch .45-70s, .50 Huntsman SS, .410, 20 ga., 12 ga., 20 ga. Pardner Pump, Versa-Pack .410 - .22
[size=7.4 pt]PLEASE DONATE TO THE GBO SERVER FUND  We're closer to the goal but not there yet, we can still use more donations, thanks

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,191112.msg1098959491.html#msg1098959491

Offline SM Bob

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (1)
  • A Real Regular
  • *****
  • Posts: 848
Re: Alcohol based stains on a gun stock?
« Reply #2 on: April 20, 2009, 03:38:14 AM »
  I'm going to try to steam out a couple of dings and then I was going to finish it with Tung Oil.  Anyone got any ideas on that?  Will it hold up in the weather?


Pete

According to my gunstock refinishing guru the military switched over to Pure Tung Oil
from BLO to better protect the wood in their weapons in tropical and damp climates.
I have a Schmidt Rubin 1911 that he refinished for me with Pure Tung Oil and it turned
out absolutely beautiful! I will be using it on my next refinishing project.

                                         Robert



Offline PHATINJUN

  • "Seeker of the Red Mist"
  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (144)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4076
  • Gender: Male
Re: Alcohol based stains on a gun stock?
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2009, 05:57:24 AM »
I used some old alchol arrow dye on a old Huntsman ML stock then finished it with 10 rubbed coats of pure tung turned out just fine. The stain came to me as a powder then I added my own denatured to it I have also used the Fiebing on arrows prior to sealing have found arrows lost for a yr in the woods that the finish was fine on although the feathers were gone but 2yrs lost is to much for them once you put the tung on it acts as any other stain anyway. Kurt
Deceased 2/16/24
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/machesney-park-il/kurt-heckman-11671764

Sportster17M2,20"Nickle410Tamer,26"410,
WTUTI12ga,WTU25-06,M158 22RemJet, 24"Ultra.204Ruger24"UltraFluted.204Ruger
M157Mannliker.22Hornet,24".223UltraFluted,   24".223Ultra,7X64BrenekkeUltra,22-250AIUltraFluted            7.62x39,22"303Britstub.32H&Rmag, .32303BritstubHuntsman,24" SS.50calHuntsman 58calHuntsman 12gaHuntsman
NEF RevolversSSModel73.32H&Rmag                     Blued Model73.32H&R mag The herd is shrinking!!
                                 "SOLI DEO GLORIA"

Offline Mad Dog

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 481
Re: Alcohol based stains on a gun stock?
« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2009, 05:57:55 AM »
Don't know anything about tung oil.  I've decided to use Fiebings leather dye on the cleaned wood.  Probably a combo of mahogany and dk. brown.  I'll experiment with putting it on with a cloth vs. a sponge brush.  When I was building custom wood arrows, back in the 90's, I could wipe 12 shafts down with alcohol dye.  By the time I got to #12, #1 was dry and ready to dip/seal.  I'm trying to decide what kind of sealer to put over the stained wood.  Wonder how spraying the pieces with an exterior poly ureathane[satin finish], steel wooling between coats, would do?  Oh well, I can't hurt this ole stock too much, so it will be fun experimenting.

Mad Dog
Mad Dog

Offline petemi

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (73)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7386
  • Gender: Male
Re: Alcohol based stains on a gun stock?
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2009, 06:09:43 AM »
  I'm going to try to steam out a couple of dings and then I was going to finish it with Tung Oil.  Anyone got any ideas on that?  Will it hold up in the weather?


Pete

According to my gunstock refinishing guru the military switched over to Pure Tung Oil
from BLO to better protect the wood in their weapons in tropical and damp climates.
I have a Schmidt Rubin 1911 that he refinished for me with Pure Tung Oil and it turned
out absolutely beautiful! I will be using it on my next refinishing project.

                                         Robert




Robert, it is amazing how fast you can make up a persons mind :D ;)

That's what I'm adoin',  Thanks.

Pete
Keep both eyes open and make the first shot good.
The growing Handi/Sportster/Pardner/Topper Family:  .22 WMR, .22-250. 223, Two Superlight 7mm-08s and one .243, .30-30,  .308, 32-20, 18 inch .356/.358 Win., Two 16.5 inch .357 Max., 18 inch 38-55 BC Carbine, 16.5 inch .445 Super Mag., .45LC, 16.5 and 22 inch .45-70s, .50 Huntsman SS, .410, 20 ga., 12 ga., 20 ga. Pardner Pump, Versa-Pack .410 - .22
[size=7.4 pt]PLEASE DONATE TO THE GBO SERVER FUND  We're closer to the goal but not there yet, we can still use more donations, thanks

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,191112.msg1098959491.html#msg1098959491

Offline NFG

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 522
Re: Alcohol based stains on a gun stock?
« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2009, 10:37:24 AM »
Wonder who came up with the low bid for the Tung Oil?? ;D

I used to use the "old" Varathane Danish Tung Oil way back when it wasn't politically incorrect.  Worked great...but took a while...using it straight until the wood stopped soaking it up...letting it sit a couple weeks to harden good then several thin coats of straight Satin Varathane made the stock surface hard as rock almost and completely impervious to water vapor...had to coat all the end grain, barrel/receiver/mag cutouts and any screw/swivel mount/ recoil pad/etc holes also...many forget those places.

Luck with your projects.

Offline mauser98us

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (40)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1565
  • Gender: Male
  • 10 mm junkie and Whelan wacko
Re: Alcohol based stains on a gun stock?
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2009, 01:00:56 PM »
I have always used leather dye and have gotten great results. All you want to do is stain the wood.Other products fill the grain.

Offline SM Bob

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (1)
  • A Real Regular
  • *****
  • Posts: 848
Re: Alcohol based stains on a gun stock?
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2009, 02:17:48 PM »
  I'm going to try to steam out a couple of dings and then I was going to finish it with Tung Oil.  Anyone got any ideas on that?  Will it hold up in the weather?


Pete

According to my gunstock refinishing guru the military switched over to Pure Tung Oil
from BLO to better protect the wood in their weapons in tropical and damp climates.
I have a Schmidt Rubin 1911 that he refinished for me with Pure Tung Oil and it turned
out absolutely beautiful! I will be using it on my next refinishing project.

                                         Robert




Robert, it is amazing how fast you can make up a persons mind :D ;)

That's what I'm adoin',  Thanks.

Pete

Pete,
No problemo Pal!

Here are a couple of pics of my Schmidt Rubin 1911 Pure Tung Oil refinish.







Robert