Refinished Stock???

[Garand9015]

I really need some help. I recently picked up a M1 Stock in horrible condition. It is spotted with blackish type spots, and it is dinged everywhere. I really need to know what a fast cheap way is to refinsh this stock. Thanks

[Stock Doc]

Gritless hand cleaner. Put it on ,,, wait 20 minutes and tooth brush under warm water in the stationary tub. Wait until it is dry and repeat. Allot of times this will help allot.

Next you can use a alcohol stain to your liking of color and put on Tru Oil by Birchwood Casey's. You rub it on with your finger until it is real tacky then wait a few hours. 0000 steel wool it then put Tru Oil on again. This is the fastest and cheapest way. The key is only a few coats of True oil and not a bunch to make it look thick. Hope this helps. Rick B

[oldjarhead]

I read about this back in the 1960's, tried it on an M1 Carbine stock. For light dings, soak the stock in water for a couple days. This will expand the wood fibers at the dented area and cause them to raise. Dry the stock thoroughly before doing any sanding or smoothing with steel wool. It does work to a reasonable degree and will help the overall appearance.
As for the discoloration, see thread #2; although I use Dawn dish detergent as it has a good grease and oil cutting agent in it but I don't know if it will clean up the black spots.
I've never tried Tru-Oil, we always rubbed down the M14 stocks with linseed oil. Either way, it should give your old stock a little fresher start. Rub it right and you can get a really nice finish. Don't recommend shellac or polyurethane, it will ruin the stock.

[irish murphy]

A way of getting the dents out of the stock is to use the cooks clothes iron and a damp teatowel or cloth.Put the damp cloth over the dent,then move the iron over the top and keep checking.