Oiling/Refinishing Rapid MK 1 Walnut Woodwork

[ColinH]

Hi all, I have a 27 year old Rapid 7 Mk 1 that I purchased new, and not really used that much until recently. Apart from rubbing in some beeswax a few times 25 years ago I was wondering if I should do something more now to preserve the woodwork?

Suggestions please, C/

[Ca_Varminter]

If you are satisfied with the color and overall finish of your stock....
No....Just start waxing it again.. to preserve the finish and wood....

Stuart

[JS-NZ]

Im not a pro, but id assume if its been waxed in the past it may need a proper strip if you want to start the oil process? To remove the wax and surface impurities, sand to bare wood then use a stock finishing oil...

[ColinH]

Thanks for all the replies and ......understood.
C/

[Kernal]

I used to  beeswax my stock every week LOL or pay the kids to beeswax it, it was kinda fun back in the day to watch them both beeswax my rapid stock and now well they both argue who`s getting my rapid when i pass LMAO.

 

[ColinH]

👍

[Tacker]

I'm a furniture restorer and I'm not a fan of beeswax for gunstocks.
It won't dry out completely and could become sticky on hot days.
Okay for a range gun I suppose.
Likely to fill stippling and checkering.
Far better off with boiled linseed oil.
A few coats and then burnished by hand rubbing to get a shine.
I sit in front of the wood burner in the winter rubbing mine (gun stocks) while watching Squirrel Hunter on YouTube.
It's all about filling the grain.

[Tacker]

If you decide to refinish, use paint/varnish stripper with wire wool to remove old finish.
An old toothbrush for the stippling.
Coarse sanding will remove wood.


nb
Don't use toothbrush again on teeth

[ColinH]

I'm a furniture restorer and I'm not a fan of beeswax for gunstocks.
It won't dry out completely and could become sticky on hot days.
Okay for a range gun I suppose.
Likely to fill stippling and checkering.
Far better off with boiled linseed oil.
A few coats and then burnished by hand rubbing to get a shine.
I sit in front of the wood burner in the winter rubbing mine (gun stocks) while watching Squirrel Hunter on YouTube.
It's all about filling the grain.

So would you dilute the linseed oil with a little turps to allow it to soak in?

C/

[Kernal]

I sit in front of the wood burner in the winter rubbing mine

Nice 

[Tacker]

I'm a furniture restorer and I'm not a fan of beeswax for gunstocks.
It won't dry out completely and could become sticky on hot days.
Okay for a range gun I suppose.
Likely to fill stippling and checkering.
Far better off with boiled linseed oil.
A few coats and then burnished by hand rubbing to get a shine.
I sit in front of the wood burner in the winter rubbing mine (gun stocks) while watching Squirrel Hunter on YouTube.
It's all about filling the grain.

So would you dilute the linseed oil with a little turps to allow it to soak in?

C/

you could do,to seal the grain once you've done your prepping.
Google hand rubbed gun stocks, save me typing it out.
It's very satisfying and not difficult.
Just quite time consuming.
I think that the top end guns are still finished this way.
It's quite a traditional technique.

[Ca_Varminter]

My personal All time Favorite is TruOil...
I still have a glass bottle that is over 40 years old...
I just keep topping it off from a large stock bottle I have..
I was told by an old timer stockmaker, there is nothing like Aged TruOil...

Then for Waxing... Again from the same stockmaker(also metal engraver.. astounding work!)
He told to use MinWax... Hardwood Floor Paste wax!!

Stuart
(Btw... That MKII stock has 14 hand rubbed coats of TruOil )

[Tacker]

I think Tru oil is linseed oil blended  with other ingredients to make it harden and dry quicker.
A bit more user friendly, more like a varnish than an oil.
I suppose it comes down to how much time and patience you have.

[Ca_Varminter]

I think Tru oil is linseed oil blended  with other ingredients to make it harden and dry quicker.
A bit more user friendly, more like a varnish than an oil.
I suppose it comes down to how much time and patience you have.

Yepper...
TruOil is just a special blend of Linseed oil
It just has all the non-volatile compounds removed..
So dries to a finish that can be worked on as much as you want....

Stuart