Hey Guys,
I'm new to Gunnutz but not new to guns. I have a dozen or so stock refinishes under my belt.
I was wondering if anyone knows how to get a satin finish on a stock? I've tried several recipes and made a few up but it always seems to be too glossy. How do they for instance get the dull look on those Tikkas and what not? A friend at deer camp last year handed me his pre 64, 32 win special '94. The butt stock had splintered right off from the butt plate screw hole to about 6 inches forward. I winced when I saw it. After some epoxy, stripping, sanding and staining, I tried several different mixes of thinner and oils, but all seemed too glossy. After stripping it again, I just went for the traditional tru oil and after about the fifth coat when I dulled it up with #0000 steel wool for another coat I just polished it up instead with burlap and voila it looked finished but duller and used.
Nothing looks tackier than a spankin' new shiny finsh over a bunch of old dents and dings that can't be completely removed.
I was pleasantly surprised of the outcome and my friend was over the moon.
It had zero collector value as it had been messed with anyway and now when you pick it up it feels well, just like an old girlfriend.
Gave him an FYI: don't let a rear sling stud come into contact with the lower butt plate screw.
Lever guns, who needs 'em anyway.
Anyway, who knows how to apply a satin finsh??