What do I do with my wood?

[happydude]

Innuendos aside, ...

...my replacement Lee Enfield No.4 wood, one of those unissued beech sets that are floating around, should be arriving shortly. I'd like to keep the wood as light a tone as possible but at the same time I don't want to #### it all up again with polyurethane stain. What are my options for an original type finish?

 

[Steppenwolf]

Boiled Linseed Oil, BLO.

 

[Pete04]

Boiled linseed oil (pure, from an art supply store) and beeswax (again, pure) thinned with a little pure turpintine. Rub in, let stand and then clean off with lint free cloth ie pillow case. Repeat as often as you like.
Pete

 

[Dantforth]

Nobody has said yet but don't leave the oil on very long before cleaining it all off. The BLO will harden and if you want a job just try to get it off. The turps and beeswax formula was for older vintage rifles such as the Snider and Martini but would do a nice job on your Lee and needs to dry and then be buffed off. I have the formula here in an old reference. E-mail and I'll get the exact measures. <hurlbutc@rideau.net> Truly though a BLO finish with many coats will be more authentic.

 

[Claven2]

What do I do with my wood?

Umm... shouldn't you be running that through your wife/girlfriend? Literally?

 

[Klunk]

Umm... shouldn't you be running that through your wife/girlfriend? Literally?

Ehh...she gets a little pissed if I spend too much time rubbing my wood

 

[junkman]

I have used the Dantforth formula with great success. It has always turned out great. The best part is rubbing the wood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Klunk]

Actually....for pulling oil/grease out of wood I have used oven cleaner in the past....worked great-stunk-didnt seem to harm the wood

 

[happydude]

I was told to clean it with clear ammonia and a scrub pad first, then stain it. BLO sounds like a better choice if it's more original.

Thanks for the help guys, I knew the internet would be the best place to find information about what to do with my wood.

 

[Garand]

Tung oil, nothing better than furniture oil for that unused look.

 

[John Sukey]

Just a point. Do not apply it over the entire stock at once. Start with small areas and rub it in until your hand warms up, then move on to another area.
You want whatever you are using to get into the pores of the wood. Don't stop with one coat, it can take five or six (with drying time in between each coat.) It will most likely look like crap for the first and second coats untill the wood has soaked up enough.