Winchester oil finish
- Thread starter Gldnbear
- Start date
Here are two links I saved in a file a couple years ago.
http://homesteadparts.com/shopcart/pid_1782.htm
http://www.homegunsmith.com/Archive/T28449.html
Post #2 in second link offers a DIY brew.
Last post offers email to a guy that took over Joh Kays business and he will send application instructions free of charge.
Doesn't appear this can be shipped internationally unfortunately.
Perhaps with some digging you can find this product in Canada.
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Min-Wax has a Winchester Gun Stock colour.
Formahdubbly.
Forgot to mention...……...Min-Wax makes a sealer or pre-coat to staining.
Works very well.
Takes the zebra effect away and smooths the staining colour out nicely.
Formahdubbly.
Forgot to mention...……...Min-Wax makes a sealer or pre-coat to staining.
Works very well.
Takes the zebra effect away and smooths the staining colour out nicely.
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Winchester used to use the same oil applied to US Springfield stocks. They started from the factory with Tung Oil and were kept up with Linseed Oil later.
Lukes comment on Min Wax is also very close and much easier to apply properly.
Lukes comment on Min Wax is also very close and much easier to apply properly.
Agree with Kamlooky and Bearhunter that Min Wax may be the best alternative. My own experience with their stains is that they don't get reds quite right, browns are fantastic but their stains with red requires custom mixing to get it right.
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If you're looking to exactly replicate the color with Min-wax, "Formadubbly" seems to be a remarkably accurate and appropriate term for the process. lol. Kamllooky should copyright that term and make a few bucks on Minwax's new Winchester pre 64 blend
As noted, a coat of their Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner may be required to smooth things out and works excellently to prevent blotchy appearance on top of spruce, pine, or even birch if stained a light color. Note that this product also will curtail overall stain absorption to a substantial degree and lighten the end result. For the majority of hardwoods if applying a rich darker stain I wouldn't recommend it unless many multiple re-sandings and re-coatings using different blends to get that richness and depth.
Every time I've used this product on a hardwood, except for lightly stained birch, I've regretted it.
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Lee Valley powdered aniline stains in the Antique Cherry color can reproduce the Winchester orange/brown color well. I have used that Lee Valley stain to match the original color when repairing cracks and gouges in older Win. stocks. Seal the stained wood with whatever oil or varnish finish suits you.
If you are not averse to some 'mad science', I have read that both Alkanet Root Powder and black walnut hulls, were involved in getting the red-brown color that Winchester used.
Dig around online, searching for alkanet powder and like as not you will find recipes.https://www.google.com/search?q=alk...VCuZ4KHQj_CWYQ_AUoAnoECAwQBA&biw=1920&bih=919
Dig around online, searching for alkanet powder and like as not you will find recipes.https://www.google.com/search?q=alk...VCuZ4KHQj_CWYQ_AUoAnoECAwQBA&biw=1920&bih=919
Every guy out there that uses it seems to have a different method.
I have not used it, just read about it's use on several of the old gun forums, and in a couple different historical type gun books.
