M1 Finish

racdrof · 07-03-2008, 03:50 PM

Like to get a shine back on the stock on my M1. Don't want to strip it down, want to keep the old finish there. Want to bring a little shine to it though without messing anything up

, what do you suggest. One more thing, would like to show some pics, was able to for a while and now where the thumbnails show, all I get is a box with a "X" in it. What am I doing wrong?

Dookiebutt · 07-03-2008, 07:11 PM

I can't do pictures either.

To freshen up your Garand wood, try some BLO thinned with turpentine or OMS. Try a 50/50 mix. Wipe it on. Wait 15-20 minutes, and wipe off excess. You could also try the same technique with Tung oil.

If you want, you can wax your stock. Many use Howards Feed and Wax. Some use Tom's 1/3 mix. I am not a big wax fan however.

Orlando · 07-04-2008, 07:20 AM

Original finish Military stocks dont have any shine on them, they are a dull finish. When you do find a old original unmolested military stock that may have a slight shine its from years of built up dirt , oil

Dookiebutt · 07-04-2008, 09:13 AM

. . . or tung oil, or varnish, or poly. . .

Stock Doc · 07-04-2008, 11:20 PM

Use Acetone to quickly wipe grime away and not take teh color off. It evaportes so fast it is great for this work. Then used Boiled Linseed oil to get back a semi shine and build up some layers. Below is a brief from the eay I do it and pay attention to how to dispose of the rags. Rick B

Now the next day If Stain lifted grain you need to lightly steel wool it down. I use Boiled Linseed oil {you can use any finsih you like especially if it will be in rain} . Now I brush on or use a small piece of rag to put Boiled Linseed Oil on {use gloves then } and wait 20-30 minutes then take a old t-shirt and rub the oil off making sure there is no excess anywhere. I rub it to death to buff it kinda. I repeat this every 24 hours till 5-7 coats are glossy and even with no dull spots. If the stock feels sticky wait a few days. If it still feels sticky you need to cut it with Acetone as this means you didnt rub enough oil off and it was humid out. The sticky will not go away if you coat over it.

WARNING hang the rags out and never let them sit balled up on the bench they will self combust and you will burn you're house down. It almost happened to me and I was very lucky. I finished for the night and went up to my office with a stock to get some photos off for a client. About a hour later I was fighting with myself to take the stock back to the shop or leave it until morning in the office. Finally I took it back and set it in a rack outside of the shop and noticed a stock with a repair pin shining and decided to touch it with a dark brown stain pen. I walked in the shop turn on lights and fell warmth then noticed a vapor in the air like steam on hot pavement. I was confused what was going on and then smelled something weird. I looked down to my right on the bench and heard a small woosh and low pop sound and the rags ignited in a light colored flame. I picked them up and ran to other room and tossed them in the wash tub and rinsed them. If I hadn't gone down there my home would have been lost. You can also wet them and toss them out in the yard till morning but keep them away from house. They make a special can for this purpose if you decide to do this a lot.

Remember Linseed oil is a weak finish but can be rubbed back on at any time. If being used heavily and in rain try a harder finish that you can dull to look like Military. Birchwood Casey True Oil can be used like this and instructions are on the bottle but dont over do it as it will look very thick and ugly if you do..

Now I take #0000 steel wool and lightly dull surface with it. Then I take Minwax Furniture Polish for dark colors {light one will stick in grain and look like white paint if you leave it to long} and put two coats of this on and I am done. If you have any questions feel free to email me at Rborecky@mindspring.com

racdrof · 07-05-2008, 11:08 AM

Thanks guys, appreciate all the info.

twtalbot · 07-17-2008, 10:40 AM

If the wood is really filthy, foaming bathroom cleaner works wonders and the wetting wont harm the wood if you wipe it dry right away.

07-03-2008, 03:50 PM	#1
racdrof Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 193	M1 Finish Like to get a shine back on the stock on my M1. Don't want to strip it down, want to keep the old finish there. Want to bring a little shine to it though without messing anything up , what do you suggest. One more thing, would like to show some pics, was able to for a while and now where the thumbnails show, all I get is a box with a "X" in it. What am I doing wrong?

07-04-2008, 07:20 AM	#3
Orlando Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 545	Original finish Military stocks dont have any shine on them, they are a dull finish. When you do find a old original unmolested military stock that may have a slight shine its from years of built up dirt , oil Last edited by Orlando; 07-04-2008 at 09:17 AM.

07-04-2008, 11:20 PM	#5
Stock Doc Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: North Middle Ohio I see water Posts: 838	Use Acetone to quickly wipe grime away and not take teh color off. It evaportes so fast it is great for this work. Then used Boiled Linseed oil to get back a semi shine and build up some layers. Below is a brief from the eay I do it and pay attention to how to dispose of the rags. Rick B Now the next day If Stain lifted grain you need to lightly steel wool it down. I use Boiled Linseed oil {you can use any finsih you like especially if it will be in rain} . Now I brush on or use a small piece of rag to put Boiled Linseed Oil on {use gloves then } and wait 20-30 minutes then take a old t-shirt and rub the oil off making sure there is no excess anywhere. I rub it to death to buff it kinda. I repeat this every 24 hours till 5-7 coats are glossy and even with no dull spots. If the stock feels sticky wait a few days. If it still feels sticky you need to cut it with Acetone as this means you didnt rub enough oil off and it was humid out. The sticky will not go away if you coat over it. WARNING hang the rags out and never let them sit balled up on the bench they will self combust and you will burn you're house down. It almost happened to me and I was very lucky. I finished for the night and went up to my office with a stock to get some photos off for a client. About a hour later I was fighting with myself to take the stock back to the shop or leave it until morning in the office. Finally I took it back and set it in a rack outside of the shop and noticed a stock with a repair pin shining and decided to touch it with a dark brown stain pen. I walked in the shop turn on lights and fell warmth then noticed a vapor in the air like steam on hot pavement. I was confused what was going on and then smelled something weird. I looked down to my right on the bench and heard a small woosh and low pop sound and the rags ignited in a light colored flame. I picked them up and ran to other room and tossed them in the wash tub and rinsed them. If I hadn't gone down there my home would have been lost. You can also wet them and toss them out in the yard till morning but keep them away from house. They make a special can for this purpose if you decide to do this a lot. Remember Linseed oil is a weak finish but can be rubbed back on at any time. If being used heavily and in rain try a harder finish that you can dull to look like Military. Birchwood Casey True Oil can be used like this and instructions are on the bottle but dont over do it as it will look very thick and ugly if you do.. Now I take #0000 steel wool and lightly dull surface with it. Then I take Minwax Furniture Polish for dark colors {light one will stick in grain and look like white paint if you leave it to long} and put two coats of this on and I am done. If you have any questions feel free to email me at Rborecky@mindspring.com __________________ If I cant fix it,, It must REALLY be broken!

07-03-2008, 07:11 PM	#2
Dookiebutt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: America's North Coast Posts: 1,163	I can't do pictures either. To freshen up your Garand wood, try some BLO thinned with turpentine or OMS. Try a 50/50 mix. Wipe it on. Wait 15-20 minutes, and wipe off excess. You could also try the same technique with Tung oil. If you want, you can wax your stock. Many use Howards Feed and Wax. Some use Tom's 1/3 mix. I am not a big wax fan however.

07-04-2008, 09:13 AM	#4
Dookiebutt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: America's North Coast Posts: 1,163	. . . or tung oil, or varnish, or poly. . .

07-05-2008, 11:08 AM	#6
racdrof Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 193	Thanks guys, appreciate all the info.

07-17-2008, 10:40 AM	#7
twtalbot Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 53	If the wood is really filthy, foaming bathroom cleaner works wonders and the wetting wont harm the wood if you wipe it dry right away.