Should I re-finish my mosin nagant?

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lonewonderer

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Calgary, AB
Currently a broke college student and after my final this Saturday I'll have about 2 weeks off. I was thinking about finally finishing my beat up mosin nagant but I've never done any sort of wood work before and I live in an apartment.

I don't think it would be too expensive but could I figure out how to do this within 2 weeks and do it all on the balcony?

If anyone else has done this before, any good online resources I should be aware?
 
I've done all the research for you!

Mosin-Nagant 91/30 stocks were finished with shellac. Here is how you would restore one:

1) Remove the original finish with denatured alcohol. You'll need some sort of plastic tool (putty knife?) to scrape off the old finish.

2) Steam out the dents by placing a damp t-shirt over them, then, with care, use an iron on the steam setting over the t-shirt. This will raise the grain and fill the dents.

3) Desolve shellac flakes (amber typically) with denatured alcohol and rub a thin layer in with a rag. Let it dry for 24 hours.

4) Buff with 0000 steel wool (or a scotch bright pad)

Repeat 3, 4 as many times as desired until you have the finish you're after.

You can optionally do the final buffing with steel wool soaked in BLO to give the stock a bit of a patina and some minor dent protection.

Don't sand the stock or you'll destroy it's character and authenticity.
 
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