Sako finish

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Sir Plus

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How would you go about improving the finish on a Sako 85 Bavarian full stock? Hand rubbed BLO and 1000 grit sanding between applications? I wonder if someone has a better idea.

I have never been impressed with the finish on recent Sakos but guns with full stocks and set triggers don’t grow on trees.
 
Sir Plus said:
How would you go about improving the finish on a Sako 85 Bavarian full stock? Hand rubbed BLO and 1000 grit sanding between applications? I wonder if someone has a better idea.

I have never been impressed with the finish on recent Sakos but guns with full stocks and set triggers don’t grow on trees.
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Be VERY careful refinishing any Sako stock. The walnut used on them is almost white and totally devoid of any real grain. The good folks at Sako have truly mastered the art of applying realistic looking grain as found in high grade walnut from other countries. The stains they use barely penetrate the wood so disappear quickly when sanded.
Not sure what sort of finish you are wanting, but satin or gloss can be attained by rubbing the stock down with medium steel wool then a coat of spray acrylic in either satin or gloss.
Deep oil rubbed look is going to be harder to attain without taking the factory finish and grain off to get down to bare wood.
 
Sage advice from no-one special. I have one in 6.5x55 and I will not tamper with the finish. I hit it with a bit of BLO then rub it down with Birchwood Casey Gun Stock Wax.
 
Chris Greisbach (ACGG) used straight Tung Oil on this Sako 85 fullstock carbine after re-cutting the stock.

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Yes, it ended up looking good and with that single-set trigger it always shot very well (6.5x55 Swede.) However, even after being extensively slimmed, I still thought it was too heavy and bulky and I ended up trading it off. I may be spoiled from owning several original Mannlicher-Schoenauer carbines.
 
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Sir Plus said:
How would you go about improving the finish on a Sako 85 Bavarian full stock? Hand rubbed BLO and 1000 grit sanding between applications? I wonder if someone has a better idea.

I have never been impressed with the finish on recent Sakos but guns with full stocks and set triggers don’t grow on trees.
Click to expand...

I had a Sako Bavarian Carbine in 30-06. Beautiful rifle. Yes, the stocks come a bit "dry". If I owned one today, I would do the following (as it has worked out WELL for me):

Clean with lemon oil and then two or three coats of Schaftol. But, since you never agree with anything I have to say, please feel free to igorne this advice. :)

I posted pics of a stock I recently did. It was a brand new CZ557, with a stock finish similar to my Sako...

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2140375-New-CZ557-Lux-2-Stock-before-and-after-Schaftol-oil-treatment
 
What shade of Schaftol is recommended? I see different shades, but Can Tire here has only "light."
 
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