Dave's stock refinishing adventure

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 2:38 pm

My pet Marlin 336 had started looking rough. There was almost no finish on the forend at all and the but stock had very little of the original Marshield finish remaining. One day I hunted in the rain for several hours and by the time I stopped my stocks were turning white and had soaked up a lot of water. I like beat up guns and don't like to refinish them, but I decided I needed to do something about the wood before it got damaged.
I planned to use Formby's to strip the old finish and then come back with Tru Oil to seal the wood. I did not sand the stock because I was afraid I would overdo and don't mind a few dinks in the wood.
I ended up using the MinWax equivalent of the Formby's since that was all they had. Using it and some 0000 steel wool got all the old finish off in about three go rounds. Then I came back with the Tru Oil. It took about five applications before the wood quit soaking it up. After eacdh application I would go over the wood with the steel wool and cut the Tru Oil off until the time I applied it and it didn't soak in. After that time I just rubbed the wood a little to knock some of the shine off.
The forend turned out perfect but I do have one little drip mark on the butt stock. I think next time I will so one side of the butt stock and then the other since it is hard to get the finish on the whole thing before it starts to dry a little and you leave fingerprints in the first finish you put on.
Except for the little imperfection on the butt I am very happy with the results. The stocks bead water now so that is really the main thing I needed. Plus they are sealed on the inside as well as the outside. They look better too. I have never been a big Marshield fan.
I should have taken some "before" pics but here are some "afters". The steel wool didn't round any corners on the wood. So don't be scared to do your gun if it needs it.

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 2:55 pm

That looks like a nicely done job, Dave. Good on you !

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 3:50 pm

Nice!!

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:17 pm

Congrats. It's always most satisfying to do a job yourself... when it turns out nice. That's why I always call a plumber!

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 10:51 pm

Looks really good Dave. You might try MinnWax Wipe-On Poly next time. It is applied by putting the finish on a rag, and just rubbing the stocks, much like linseed oil. Same procedure between coats, but it doesn't leave any runs or fingerprints, as it dries slower, so the excess can be wiped off before it dries.
Leaves a finish like hand rubbed BLO.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 10:59 pm

Looking sharp - good job!!!

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:09 pm

Nice job, Dave! I've never like "marshield" either.

-Tutt

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:58 pm

Looking good! Tru-oil seems to run less when it's 20 degrees in your garage, or at least it seems to. I run a little slower at that temperature too

LeverBob · Post by **LeverBob** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:51 am

Great job Pard...it turned out just fine!

LeverBob

jbm1968 · Post by **jbm1968** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:25 am

Great Job!

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:45 am

When it's 20 degrees out there, the only place I run to is the heater !

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:35 am

Very nice!

You can sand that run out and reapply a final coat of Truoil to match the sheen if it bothers you that bad.

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:43 am

Lookin' good!

Swampman · Post by **Swampman** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:57 am

I used to love Tru Oil but it seems different now. It starts getting sticky before I can get an even coat. It's not waterproof either. I switched to Minwax Helmsman Satin Urethane in the spray can. It looks as good as any factory finish.

You did a great job.....