Recommended repairs for older hunting rifles

[ivy.stitch]

Recommended repairs for older hunting rifles in Maine? Looking for DIY kits for stock refinishing and barrel cleaning. What tools or products do you use for restoring classics?

 

[HWB13]

Depends on what you have and how much time and money you want to put into it. Stocks can be stripped, checkering sharpened, and finish, depending on what is wanted, can take days of drying or months.

 

[JenCho]

I’ve had great results with Tru-Oil for stock refinishing. It’s easy to handle and layers wel. I usually start with 220-320 grit sandpaper, then I switch to 0000 steel wool between coats to keep everything smooth. It may take some time, but the final product is always clean and satisfying.

 

[HWB13]

I agree truoil will give a glossy hard finish. I like it because it is only 8 to 10 hours between coats. I might suggest, my process is very similar to jencho's, but to protect a stain or other base coat. My first sanding is after 3 coats. Gives a hard base to increase the depth and won't touch any surface or stain. Wood should be sanded to at least 220 and clean of any dust. If it comes out to shiny you can bring it down with 1000 or 1200 grit wet paper to a nice satin or even flat finish.

 

[guntha45]

I am not a fan of glossy finishes on a stock. One of the simplest ways I have found to refinish, that looks good and is durable, is to sand the stock to 320 and get an aerosol can of Minwax Helmsman Exterior Spar Urethane. It comes in satin, semi-gloss, and gloss. I have used the satin extensively and it works great for a quick and easy finish. I lightly buff with 320 wet/dry between coats and do about 3 coats.
For a high-end finish job, I use pure Tung Oil. Not the stuff you find at the hardware store as that stuff has "driers" in it. I use "Old Master's" and have to order it on-line and then thin it a bit with Mineral Spirits. It is a long process I recommend you reading about on-line but it involves multiple applications and wet sanding with it between coats to fill all the pores.

 

[HWB13]

guntha45,
Before you joined I broke down my goto process in another thread