doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com How do You Darken the Finish on a Stock?

I have a British double rifle that had the stock refinished by a previous owner. It was finished in a light stain that does not look proper on a 120 year old rifle. I would like to darken the finish to make it match the original condition of the rest of the gun. I think that the finish on it now is oil. Any ideas on how to go about this? I hate the thought of sanding on it.

Spirit stains will penetrate through an oil finish. Check the Brownell's catalogue.

Phil

Darkening light wood has always been a holy grail for stock finishers, and about as difficult to obtain with any degree of success, i.e. having light and dark spots and/or dull and shiny spots in the finish.

What you are looking for is an alcohol=based penetrating stain. Last time I looked, Brownells had some. I've used the Pilkington stains sold through Brownells with good results, but there's a learning curve as in most gun finihing/refinishing.
JR

If you don't sand it then you will have to steam the stock to open the pores. Look through any good wood working catalog online for an annaline dye, either water or alcohol based. You can buy these as a powder and mix them yourself. These dyes penetrate the wood and not lay on top like oil based. To get the reddish color you might have to get a red mahogany and a dark walnut, mix until the right color is achieved.
Some of the Behlens products are very good.

Do it with shelac! I use garnet shelac to give my stocks the old red/brown color. If you don't like it just wash it off with alcohol. It is highly possible that it was used originally. I mix my own with flakes I buy from the woodworking sights.
bill

Brown shoe polish. Might take 2-3 app and rub out but it will stain the finish. Smear some on, let it sit a bit, wipe. When you get the color you like smear on some Johnsons paste floor wax. Good to go. People do it all the time with guitar necks.

WtS

keep your fingers crossed that true oil or Tung was not used by the PO . if so it will take many applications and even then wont come out a constant even color ..
i have had some success with suspended stains especially with repairs when the above oils where used . But basically all that does is color the oil .

Tung oil which is the base for true oil , as I recall is about 90% impervious .
It seals very good . But it also goes deep into the wood .
This makes it very hard to stain through even when sanded down .
Thus the need for suspending the stain in the oil to get a reasonable color
Oils like Linseed are not very good sealers . As such most stains will go right through

Pilkington stock finish with red cast will do the best job for you, will take several thin coats, depending on how dark you want

to go. Brownells



703-350-502

Red - Brown Classic Finish
Craig