Penetrol on wood stocks

josquin

josquin

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I came across this thread on 24 Hr Campfire on using Penetrol. I'd heard of it but never used it. The last post (as of a few minutes ago) gives the history:

Penetrol is a product I've used for thirty plus years and it's not what many people think it is. First it's not a thinner but a paint conditioner that was targeted toward high end brush applicators wanting a 'wet edge' extender. It essentially acted like ball bearings for brush painters looking for better flow and handling. But Penetrol was also a great rust inhibitor used primarily in Europe where the fishing fleets bought it as ' Floetrol" which the Flood Company marketed under that name. My wife was able to run some lab tests on this product back in the 80's using mass spectrometry and found high levels of fish oil. On rusty metal it's a great product that seals and retards further wastage by sealing off oxygen and moisture. I've used it on everything from snowplow frames to you name it. And finally it is a product that will penetrate, cure and stabilize most woods short of the most highly resinous tropicals. I can not see any downside to using this product with wood stocks.
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The pics in the thread look pretty good, although he doesn't say whether he's followed it up with another finish. Seems not. One guy suggested using it with linseed oil.
 
A friend of mine used penetrol on a poker table he built, he said it took forever to dry properly but the finish is great. I see in the thread they're saying it dries quickly so maybe he applied it too thick?? . Floetrol is water base conditioner here, don't know if it was different in europe back in the day but I think there might be an error in that post
 
I went to pick up a can at HD in Bellingham today, but it turns out the Flood product is only avail. online, or at least not on the shelf in some stores. They had a Zinsser product, "Paint Booster Paint Addivie Flow Control" ($8.97) which may be the same thing from another them,. so will check the specs on that.

Lowe's in Bellingham llsts it available @ $9.47 (Not listed for Lowes.ca) Local Home Hardware wants $31.99. Must be delusional...

Addendum: Just bought some @ Lowe's in Bellingham:

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vs. Home Hardware Abbotsford:

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Go figger...
 
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Old formula Flood Penetrol was pulled from the market deemed 'containing known carcinogen'. A tamed down formula was introduced almost immediately. When top coated a full year later with Cetol 1 or 2 gave a lasting finish and color to cedar logs or siding. My Lindal Cedar cottage went 12-14 years between finishes. I would very much like to try it on a gunstock, but not for $35!
 
salarguy said:
... My Lindal Cedar cottage went 12-14 years between finishes.
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That's pretty impressive. Was that done with the old or new formula? And was the recall in the US or Canada or both? I did the cedar siding on my house with Cloverdale Sunfast and it's held up pretty well for 7 years but will need reapplying im some areas next summer.

I would very much like to try it on a gunstock, but not for $35!
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I'm lucky to be near the border and down in Bellingham regularly. The difference in price is ridiculous.

I just tried it for the first time on the rosewood grips I got for my Ruger SP-101 from eBay from a guy in Thailand. They were high gloss- probably lacquered. Looked great but a bit too shiny. This is probably not the ideal project for this as rosewood is fairly oily. I removed (hopefully all) the finish with lacquer thinner and let Penetrol dry for 24 hrs. It was a bit sticky so I wiped the surface down with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits. I could probably have just left it at that and applied some wax after rubbing it down a bit with 4x0 steel wool but decided to follow up with polynerized Tung Oil. We'll see how this turns out... But if the 24 hr. Campfire post is any indication, it should work well on other woods.
 
Tung is great it was used for 40 yrs. or more keeping my old pre-64 M70 looking pretty slick! Not sure about the polymerized stuff. When you get to Bellingham again buy a quart for me it should be OK in the mail, LMK your costs. BTW Old formula Recall in the US prompted the shelves being cleared in Canada as well. I guess the main market was the US.
 
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