BL22 refinish? yay or nay? Update!

Me too!

I missed a few replies until now. Thanks guys!

In regards to the difficulty removing the finish, here is what I did. Simple.

I lined a steel 7.62x39 surplus ammo can with foil. Drenched everything in stripper. Wrapped it up in the foil. I Left it long enough to do the dishes. Went back and repeated. Left it for another half hour.

By the time i came back most of it was dried up crusty white. I used a toothbrush sized wire brush to GENTLY scrape away the crust. Most of it came off with ease. A few spots needed some touch up with more stripper.

Once the finish was removed i sanded with 200, 400, 600 then 0000. Then applied the BLO. 2 coats so far. I will add more.

As for Tru oil. I have some and have used it. It is morr glossy and for this one i wanted to start with more of s natural finish and see if i needed to gloss it up. I like it the way it is for now.

I did however use some on the SKS i mentioned in the OP. I started with BLO but decided it needed a bit of shine. I applied 1 coat if tru oil and buffed it well by hand with a rag and it turned out well i think.

I know this isnt the milsurp thread but I have to say, WOW do the laminate SKS stocks POP when you strip that ugly original finish off. I have done 3. 2 laninate a 1 hardwood. Both the laminate stocks were mezmorizing to look at. The photo doesnt do it justice. In person it is almost iridecent.View attachment 229174

Thanks again everyone!!
 
If the "Pawp" as you claim is a bit much, sort of like the Zeebraw effect, try using Min-Wax pre stain sealer.
I've used this on the log bed frames I've made and it takes out the Wow effect of the different grains.
Makes for a smoother less stunning effect.

Good jawb awn the BL.

Nutt'in venter'd, nutt'in gained.
 
If the "Pawp" as you claim is a bit much, sort of like the Zeebraw effect, try using Min-Wax pre stain sealer.
I've used this on the log bed frames I've made and it takes out the Wow effect of the different grains.
Makes for a smoother less stunning effect.

Good jawb awn the BL.

Nutt'in venter'd, nutt'in gained.

No I just meant the grain Pops...in a good way. The old finish hid the beauty. Once removed it really came to life. Almost like a fancy boyds laminate stock.

I did stain the sks with some minwax prior to oiling (3 shades mixed together haha) it needed a hint of that Soviet red colour.
 
Well done. That girl turned out very well. :)

Thanks! Yes she did.

I was just happy just to finally have a BL22 especially for what I paid. I willing to accept the aesthetic condition. But now it is exactly the gun I would have wanted. I even got a new forarm band installed last night. I had to enlarge the pin hole a bit as directed by the supplier. 5 minute install. (The original was broken when I got it)

The only part that could be improved now (aside from some very minor pitting on the receiver that I wont be touching other than oiling) is the front band behind the front sight. It had some of the black paint scraped off. I tried spray paint but it flaked off if I breathed too close to it lol. So I tried some of my wifes black nail polish. Not perfect but matches the other band and seems to stick to the metal a bit better. A little bit bubba but it looks legit. I'd replace it too but I really dont want to remove the front sight.
 
Thanks! Yes she did.

I was just happy just to finally have a BL22 especially for what I paid. I willing to accept the aesthetic condition. But now it is exactly the gun I would have wanted. I even got a new forarm band installed last night. I had to enlarge the pin hole a bit as directed by the supplier. 5 minute install. (The original was broken when I got it)

The only part that could be improved now (aside from some very minor pitting on the receiver that I wont be touching other than oiling) is the front band behind the front sight. It had some of the black paint scraped off. I tried spray paint but it flaked off if I breathed too close to it lol. So I tried some of my wifes black nail polish. Not perfect but matches the other band and seems to stick to the metal a bit better. A little bit bubba but it looks legit. I'd replace it too but I really dont want to remove the front sight.


Makes my day the other trick worked too :)
Enjoy that girl and thanks for sharing
 
Thanks! Yes she did.

I was just happy just to finally have a BL22 especially for what I paid. I willing to accept the aesthetic condition. But now it is exactly the gun I would have wanted. I even got a new forarm band installed last night. I had to enlarge the pin hole a bit as directed by the supplier. 5 minute install. (The original was broken when I got it)

The only part that could be improved now (aside from some very minor pitting on the receiver that I wont be touching other than oiling) is the front band behind the front sight. It had some of the black paint scraped off. I tried spray paint but it flaked off if I breathed too close to it lol. So I tried some of my wifes black nail polish. Not perfect but matches the other band and seems to stick to the metal a bit better. A little bit bubba but it looks legit. I'd replace it too but I really dont want to remove the front sight.

Nice job, very well done. Your front sight band is probably cast aluminum. I've had pretty good luck with stripping these kind of parts and then degreasing with lacquer thinner. I then use Krylon from a rattle can, either glossy or matt whatever matches the rest of the metal.
 
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