Stock Refinishing, before and after Schaftol oil treatment

[TangoKilo]

The improvement is amazing!!

Are there any online sources for this stuff?

 

[The Kurgan]

Google around. There's always a few sources with Schaftol in stock

 

[Marcos]

Was wondering, do you use a method to "seal" the action inlet and barrel channel also? Online people talk of various products like urethane and other sealant.

 

[The Kurgan]

I simply apply Schaftol to the barrel channel. It seems to seal it well. If your stock is virgin factory finish, urethane along the barrel channel is your best bet. Apply with a small paint brush.

 

[The Kurgan]

New project: $200 Turkish single shot 12ga. Wood has potential? We'll soon see.

Before, yikes...



Stripped and ready for Schaftol dark...

 

[Grain]

Always intrigued by single shots, those have caught my eye more than once. Following with interest, thanks for sharing.

 

[Ribstaylor]

Doing finishes like this doesn't degrade the wood over time like say gun oil does? I wouldn't mind refinishing or applying some of this kind of stuff to the rifle if that isn't the case. I love the way it pops the wood grain.

 

[The Kurgan]

Doing finishes like this doesn't degrade the wood over time like say gun oil does? I wouldn't mind refinishing or applying some of this kind of stuff to the rifle if that isn't the case. I love the way it pops the wood grain.

I have been using Shafatol for a decade. It's perfectly safe. My rifles get a wipe if it before the start of each season, and no issues have ever cropped up. Water beads off and the wood looks and feels terrific. You would be surprised at how nice a plain wood stock can look with a properly applied oil finish. This particular oil dries to a nice thin layer just under the wood surface. A few thin coats is all that is required, with, maybe, a single maintenance coat once per year. Gun oil, on the other hand, does not dry and, over time, sinks into the wood and destroys it.

 

[The Kurgan]

Always intrigued by single shots, those have caught my eye more than once. Following with interest, thanks for sharing.

The Turkish single shots can be quite nice and solid, handle a few to see. It's hard to go wrong at $200, and you often score super nice wood that you would find on guns costing way more dollars. It's hard to screw up a single shot, and they're super light.

 

[DGY]

Looking good!!

 

[The Kurgan]

Step two... Varathaned the barrel channel (yes, it's a tool gun, not a safe queen)

 

[conor_90]

Do you ever clear coat over the schaftol?

 

[The Kurgan]

Do you ever clear coat over the schaftol?

No reason, and defeats the purpose. Schaftol is 'designed' to be an under-surface finish, easily repairable (steam out dings, etc.) and very easy to replenish once per hunting season, though I often don't need to replenish very frequently. Clearcoats are a PITA to apply at home, and often turn out poorly.

 

[rombat]

My go to refinish has been a good stripping of the stock, I use Circa 1850, including a toothbrush and wood tooth picks to really clean and freshen the checkering. I then use several coats of Danish oil rubbed on with 0000 steel wool, use the tooth brush to work it into the checkering. It comes in natural, cherry, fruitwood, walnut, dark walnut. Pick what you like. Always wipe the excess off after about 30 minutes, depending on the drying conditions. Once that dries I give it 3 coats of exterior tung oil. Rubbed on with 0000 wool again. If you use 600 grit wet dry it will be a bit more of a matte finish.

 

[The Kurgan]

Beautiful work.

 

[shackleford]

Yes. I would use 3 thin coats and then decide if you want more. After each application, wait an hour and then wipe off any excess that doesn't fully soak in. This occurs around coat two or three. Then you know the wood has absorbed all that it can and you're done. Emphasis on thin coats. Also, once it's drying, avoid the temptation to touch it. It's hard for some people, but patience pays off.

Do you do the checkering each time?

 

[The Kurgan]

I use a toothbrush to clean out the checkering, which usually works quite well. If the rifle is older and is higher quality, I sometimes send the stock out to get the checkering recut--you can't compete with the hand of experience. But, it's costly, and more often than not, unnecessary. To answer your question, yes, re-oil the whole stock, including the checkering.

 

[The Kurgan]

Sorry for the delay. Busy time at work.

Coat #1 of Scherell's Schaftol...




I heated a small puddle of oil on a small saucer in the microwave for 30 seconds. This helps to get the oil deep into the raw wood's pores. The first coat looks great, and I am certain 3 or 4 coats will do it.

A little goes a long way!

BTW, a special 'thank you' for the one-star rating from some anonymous member recently.

 

[Grain]

Nice work. Is the rear darker wood than the fore, or just how it appears in the picture?

 

[The Kurgan]

It's just how it appears in the photo. The lighting in my kitchen is terrible. Also, the colours tend to balance and will darken after a few coats. I just wanted to show how much of an improvement 1 coat can make. I will do 2 or 3 more coats over the next few days and I will post up progress pictures.