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How to Refinish Military Stocks

Military rifles are a part of history. They have helped save the lives of hundreds of servicemen. Collecting and restoring rifles quickly becomes a labor of love, for those interested in preserving the past. Before restoring a vintage gun, look carefully at the stock. The wood may have cracks due to age, but it also may have dents, nicks and scratches that give silent tribute to the battles fought by the soldier who carried it. Before working to remove these imperfections, decide which you would like to leave as a tribute to the soldier who carried the riffle into battle.

Things You'll Need

Small screwdriver
Shellac remover
Paint brush
Bucket
Heavy latex gloves
Steel wool
Sandpaper, 100- or 150-grit
Acraglas gel, 4 ounces
Walnut stain
Rags
Tung oil

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the stock from the rifle, using a small screwdriver. Remove all the metal parts from the rifle stock, leaving only wood.
- 2
  Put on the gloves. Pour several inches of shellac remover into a plastic bucket. Stand the stock in the bucket. With the paint brush, cover the stock with shellac remover. Let the stock stand for half an hour and repeat.
- 3
  Pour out the shellac remover and re-fill the bucket with fresh remover. With gloves on, rub the stock with fresh shellac remover and steel wool. Rub hard enough to press the chemical into the finish, not hard enough to remove the dents and nicks. Repeat the process of rubbing the stock using fresh remover and steel wool, until none of the finish remains. Allow the stock to dry, completely. This may take as long as a day.
- 4
  Sand, lightly, the stock with the 100-grit sandpaper. Save the sawdust left over from sanding.
- 5
  Mix the sawdust with the acraglas gel. Fill any cracks caused by dried out wood. Leave nicks and dents created by use. Allow the gel to dry.
- 6
  Apply a walnut stain to the entire stock. Rub the stain into the wood with a rag. Wipe away an excess stain. Work to create an even finish. Allow the stain to dry, completely.
- 7
  Press tung oil into the stained stock, using a fresh steel wool pad. Allow the oil to soak into the wood. Repeat this process until the finish is glossy. Wipe away any excess oil with a clean rag.

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