So, after nearly 3 months the carbine is finally where I want it to be. Complete disassembly, cleaning, de-greasing, oiling and re-assembly was fairly easy. Refinishing the wood was the biggest task. If you ever seen a used Chinese SKS, you've probably noticed that the wood is getting badly beaten up. It's because the Chu wood (Manchurian Catalpa) is fairly soft. Well, I didn't want to see it all banged up right from the start. I removed the lacquer and found the wood very pale with open grain and difficult to work with. Rough around the edges, naturally oily (suppose to be very resistant to rotting). Staining was nearly impossible as the wood wasn't taking any oil stains. I wanted to see the grain better, so instead I went with the black tea which gave me that slightly weathered look. I've mixed the burnt red and gold stains with the 100% pure tung oil and applied 5 coats with a week of drying between each coat. Than when it dried nicely I followed up with the Minwax Antique Oil Finish. All was applied both inside and outside, so the stock became probably weather proof. After 5 coats of Minwax (24 hrs of drying between each coat) I let it sit for a while and than sanded it all down to bare wood. Grain was nearly filled, but I kept on adding another coats of Minwax, while sanding down before applying another coat. I put probably another 10 coats in this manner, completely filling the grain and sealing the wood. Finish is in the wood and not on the wood. It's extremely hard, water and solvent proof. I actually tested it against scratching with the sharp tool. I was able to put a white scratch on it that disappeared after just one coat of Minwax. In the end I put one more coat of Minwax on for added color and 3d effect. After drying I waxed the stock with the Minwax wood wax. I came across the rare, surplus Chinese butt rubber extension pad on equipment exchange forum, bought it and installed it too. SKS feels so much BETTER on the shoulder now! Well, it's ready for rock and roll now.
Someone may ask...why would you go so far to work on a cheap SKS... well, my answer is: there is nothing cheap about SKS. I believe it's a fantastic carbine built of the highest quality materials.
Someone may ask...why would you go so far to work on a cheap SKS... well, my answer is: there is nothing cheap about SKS. I believe it's a fantastic carbine built of the highest quality materials.
