I was tired of getting cosmo on my hands when shooting, and when at home. Didnt like the smell either. I also like blondes 
After a good steam and wipe, the roughness of the stock really started to show. All I wanted to do was leech out more of the cosmo, but I steamrolled ahead. I started by soaking it in Murphys Oil Soap, letting it soak, then wiping, then re applying. I could see the cosmo running down the tub. After that, it got a wash in very hot water with soap, scrubbing with a bristle brush. (not more than 5 or 10 mins in the water.) Then it got a quick pouring of boiling water to leech out anything that was left... this also made the old finish bubble up a bit.(just one pass on each side with a kettle). I wiped it dry, then let it sit overnight infront of a fan, with the cleaning kit holes toward the fan to make sure it dried inside as well. It was bone dry next day, and the finish was starting to flake and peel.
Here is the stock before anything was done.
Next step was to sand off the old finish. Started with 80 Grit, sanding with the grain till all the finish was gone. Wiped it down with a wet cloth all over, then dried it with a hair blower on hot. Next step was 220 Grit. Same procedure. Final was 600 grit, which gave it a shine. I made sure to wipe off any dust or particles when i was done sanding.
Here is it after sanding.
Here are the products I used, cost me around 14$.(sandpaper not included)
Now for the stain. I hung the stock in a place where I wouldnt need to touch it for several days. I applied it with a foam brush, with the grain. Making sure not to press too hard, so runs wouldn't form.
Here is after one coat of stain.
After drying overnight, I applied a second coat of stain, and then let that dry for 2 days.
Now its time for the Poly. Following the directions on the can, and sanding lightly with 220 grit between coats, and letting each coat dry for at least 15 hours while a fan blows on it. I ended up applying 4 coats, and did not buff the final coat, because I wanted a high gloss finish. I have to say, it turned out exactly how I had imagined in my mind. And if this seems like a daunting task for you, this was my first time re-finishing anything! Here is the final product!
After a good steam and wipe, the roughness of the stock really started to show. All I wanted to do was leech out more of the cosmo, but I steamrolled ahead. I started by soaking it in Murphys Oil Soap, letting it soak, then wiping, then re applying. I could see the cosmo running down the tub. After that, it got a wash in very hot water with soap, scrubbing with a bristle brush. (not more than 5 or 10 mins in the water.) Then it got a quick pouring of boiling water to leech out anything that was left... this also made the old finish bubble up a bit.(just one pass on each side with a kettle). I wiped it dry, then let it sit overnight infront of a fan, with the cleaning kit holes toward the fan to make sure it dried inside as well. It was bone dry next day, and the finish was starting to flake and peel.Here is the stock before anything was done.
Next step was to sand off the old finish. Started with 80 Grit, sanding with the grain till all the finish was gone. Wiped it down with a wet cloth all over, then dried it with a hair blower on hot. Next step was 220 Grit. Same procedure. Final was 600 grit, which gave it a shine. I made sure to wipe off any dust or particles when i was done sanding.
Here is it after sanding.
Here are the products I used, cost me around 14$.(sandpaper not included)
Now for the stain. I hung the stock in a place where I wouldnt need to touch it for several days. I applied it with a foam brush, with the grain. Making sure not to press too hard, so runs wouldn't form.
Here is after one coat of stain.
After drying overnight, I applied a second coat of stain, and then let that dry for 2 days.
Now its time for the Poly. Following the directions on the can, and sanding lightly with 220 grit between coats, and letting each coat dry for at least 15 hours while a fan blows on it. I ended up applying 4 coats, and did not buff the final coat, because I wanted a high gloss finish. I have to say, it turned out exactly how I had imagined in my mind. And if this seems like a daunting task for you, this was my first time re-finishing anything! Here is the final product!
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