Hi Pete
Ive refinished a number of gunstocks using a homemade alkanet root (AR) stain. AR stain is what the British gunmakers used to give their guns that rich reddish-brown color. There are many ways to make the stain, I made mine by obtaining some ground-up AR and then I mixed it with alcohol and let it sit for a few days (the longer the better) to allow the stain to leach out into the alcohol. I usually use Tru-oil and simply apply several coats of stain, using a rag, before I apply the 10 coats of Tru-oil I use to finish the stock. AR stain has been discussed before on the board so if youre interested you may want to research it here. BTW I obtained my ground AR over the internet where it is sold for use in home medicines.
Another thing, AR stain seems to actually enrich any figure in the wood making it stand out better.
Steve
PS is their any pheasant hunting in Canada or are the winters too rough on the feathery dears.
Last edited by Rockdoc; 01/10/11 03:59 PM.
