Recommendation on finishing DIY stock

[larspawn]

I have a laminate stock on the way and want to know your recommendations on finishing. 


Questions:

1)  I presume since it is a DIY stock that it will need a couple finishing sanding sessions. What grit should I finish with?  400 or finer?

2)  Looks like a natural finish?  Should I stain it?  If so should I use a conditioner first?


3)  Should finish coat be an oil based like Tru Oil, other natual oil or a poly?

4)  Would you stipple the grip?  This is for my FT rifle so I'm tempted to stipple it and dye it black.  Any suggestions on how to dye it?  Or are stains and dyes not recommended for laminate stocks?  I kind of think I might get in trouble with the end grains and such.

Your tecniques and suggestions are appreciated.





Andy Wong aka larspawn@ameritech.net

[Rocker1]

andy i used several different grades from about 320 to 400 then steel wool, it also comes in different grades, i just bought some ebony stain at lowes, i have not used it yet its a black stain i am sure it would look good on that . i am by no means a expert but have did a few and injoy it. thats a nice stock what are you putting it on? pm howie i am sure hes knows.thanks david

[TCups]

I have refinished a couple of stocks, one with Royal London Oil according to the technique described by Jim Maccari

http://www.airrifleheadquarters.com/catalog/item/251486/42975.htm

and another that required stripping, sanding, and staining before refinishing. I used a clear gloss poly on it.  In general, Maccari's technique with RLO seemed to work better and gave a more pleasing result, but the polyurethane finish wasn't bad, and is tough as nails.

Both were "beater" stocks, so I didn't risk too much experimenting.  And these are the only two stocks I have ever refinished.

511 using Maccari RLO
sanded, before finishing . . .



and after

[Rocker1]

heres one i did recently andy. thanks david  http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,832.0.html

[deanda]

I have tried Danish oil, and JM's Royal London oil method. The Royal London Oil is the way to go between those two methods. Danish oil is ok, pretty simple, but you need to let it dry between sandings, and after an application. The Royal London Oil even easier to apply, and dries in a couple of hours ready for the next application. You can go to JM's site and look under stocks......there is a little write up with instructions.
I have a DIY stock on the way from Cocoran. He said he would put finishing instructions in with it. Might be better yet, but not sure when it will get here. Stebe Cocoran also has a mixture that he sells to finish out stocks.
The finer the sand paper the smoother.......go to at least 400. What to start with depends on where the wood worker left off. Probably start at 220, then go to 400. Ask the guy that made it, what grit it has been sanded to. The DIY stocks are completed to different degrees ........so ask the maker where you need to start, some aren't even completely fitted.

[Springer25]

I used pure tung oil on my Ruger Air Hawk stock.  It turned out beautiful.  It's a long finishing process though...