Refinishing Stock Question?

mthom1957 · November 22, 2008, 09:58 PM

I am refinishing the stock on an old CVA kit gun and after reshaping the stock to fit the buttplate and sanding the entire stock to remove the finish I find that there are shaded areas of the stock where the original stain is still showing through. I don't dare sand these areas anymore as I'm afraid of removing too much wood. Is there anything I can do to either remove this stain or try to somehow blend the new finish in so thst it looks somewhat even all over?

mega twin · November 23, 2008, 09:11 AM

you might try a mild bleach solution on the darker spots. Another thing is that if you refinish it the way it is,it might have a really unique look about it .

Pahoo · November 23, 2008, 02:30 PM

mega twin + 1

You can get stock bleach from Brownells. After that process, do a very light sanding then wipe off with mineral spirits and see what it looks like. You can repeat the process as you wish and then after that, you should stain the entire stock. These CVA's seem to like the redder darker stains but you can go with a light cherry or anique oak. Try different stains until you get one that pleases you. I once redid a stock that was stained dark and to this day, don't know what in the world the guy used. I was forced to restain and keep it dark. In the end, after the final finish, you could not see the blotches. Congratulations on the fitting as I think this is the hardest and most important part of the process.

Be Safe !!!

Ruger4570 · November 23, 2008, 02:39 PM

Most stains people see on the shelf is an oil/solvent based stain. There is also a Dye type stain, mostly commercial applications, that will really go deep and change the woods appearance fairly permanently.

Scorch · November 23, 2008, 06:45 PM

Try stripping the stock with CitriStrip. You can get it at Home Depot, Lowes, WalMart, you name it. If there is finish on the stock, it will remove it.

mthom1957 · November 23, 2008, 08:55 PM

Thanks for all of the helpful suggestions on the stock problem now heres another problem that I created to help me with. I am also installing a set of Williams fiber optic sights on this gun, the rear sight was no problem but the front sight was another story. The package said there would be fitting required on the front sight so in the process of filing and fitting I managed to get the fit too loose and since I can't unfile the metal back I'm left with adding some sort of adhesive to hold the sight tight or a little JB Weld set and filed in the dovetail to take up the slack and hope it snugs up. The gun is an old cheapy so it's not a catastrophy but I want to do the best job I can on it. Any input on this situation would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mthom

Bill DeShivs · November 23, 2008, 09:47 PM

Hammer the dovetail closed a little.

mthom1957 · November 23, 2008, 10:05 PM

I've already reblued the barrel, won't this screw up the finish a bit

Ruger4570 · November 23, 2008, 11:02 PM

You can also try to use a pointed punch to raise the metal in the bottom of the dovetail, Insert the sight and with a flat point punch sort of stake the sight in place by bending the very edge of the dovetail into the sight.

Bill DeShivs · November 23, 2008, 11:08 PM

Pad it with leather, and use a very small hammer.

Inspector3711 · November 24, 2008, 12:54 AM

+1 on the citrus strip.... That Scorch guy knows his stuff. I've used it too. You can re-apply it and control how much the stain is reduced after the initial stripping is done. It's way less toxic than traditional products but works like a champ.

Ruger4570 · November 24, 2008, 02:12 AM

Inspector: If a dye stain was used, no amount of stripper is going to make a difference. Most wood bleaches won't work either. Dye stains are made to be more than permanent, as in forever.

Pahoo · November 24, 2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Bill DeShivs: Hammer the dovetail closed a little.

Yes !! Use a brass head small mallet and try to striker square. Do what Ruger4570 suggested first and then this step as a last resort.

Quote:

Ruger4570: You can also try to use a pointed punch to raise the metal in the bottom of the dovetail, Insert the sight and with a flat point punch sort of stake the sight in place by bending the very edge of the dovetail into the sight.

Yes!! Center punch to be exact and more than one, say about six to eight across the entire bottom face, depending on how loose you are. Go deep if you have to in order to raise some metal. This is an old trick and it works. Center it and if you think you are going to be good, LockTite it in place. or you can cut and slip in some brass shim stock.

Be Safe !!!

mthom1957 · November 24, 2008, 07:49 PM

Thanks again guys for all of the advice one of these should work.

November 22, 2008, 09:58 PM	#1
mthom1957 Member Join Date: January 20, 2007 Posts: 18	Refinishing Stock Question? I am refinishing the stock on an old CVA kit gun and after reshaping the stock to fit the buttplate and sanding the entire stock to remove the finish I find that there are shaded areas of the stock where the original stain is still showing through. I don't dare sand these areas anymore as I'm afraid of removing too much wood. Is there anything I can do to either remove this stain or try to somehow blend the new finish in so thst it looks somewhat even all over?

November 23, 2008, 06:45 PM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Try stripping the stock with CitriStrip. You can get it at Home Depot, Lowes, WalMart, you name it. If there is finish on the stock, it will remove it. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

November 23, 2008, 08:55 PM	#6
mthom1957 Member Join Date: January 20, 2007 Posts: 18	Stock Refinishing Question? Thanks for all of the helpful suggestions on the stock problem now heres another problem that I created to help me with. I am also installing a set of Williams fiber optic sights on this gun, the rear sight was no problem but the front sight was another story. The package said there would be fitting required on the front sight so in the process of filing and fitting I managed to get the fit too loose and since I can't unfile the metal back I'm left with adding some sort of adhesive to hold the sight tight or a little JB Weld set and filed in the dovetail to take up the slack and hope it snugs up. The gun is an old cheapy so it's not a catastrophy but I want to do the best job I can on it. Any input on this situation would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mthom

November 23, 2008, 09:47 PM	#7
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Hammer the dovetail closed a little. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

November 23, 2008, 11:08 PM	#10
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Pad it with leather, and use a very small hammer. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

November 23, 2008, 09:11 AM	#2
mega twin Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2006 Posts: 434	you might try a mild bleach solution on the darker spots. Another thing is that if you refinish it the way it is,it might have a really unique look about it .

November 23, 2008, 02:30 PM	#3
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	mega twin + 1 You can get stock bleach from Brownells. After that process, do a very light sanding then wipe off with mineral spirits and see what it looks like. You can repeat the process as you wish and then after that, you should stain the entire stock. These CVA's seem to like the redder darker stains but you can go with a light cherry or anique oak. Try different stains until you get one that pleases you. I once redid a stock that was stained dark and to this day, don't know what in the world the guy used. I was forced to restain and keep it dark. In the end, after the final finish, you could not see the blotches. Congratulations on the fitting as I think this is the hardest and most important part of the process. Be Safe !!!

November 23, 2008, 02:39 PM	#4
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	Most stains people see on the shelf is an oil/solvent based stain. There is also a Dye type stain, mostly commercial applications, that will really go deep and change the woods appearance fairly permanently.

November 23, 2008, 10:05 PM	#8
mthom1957 Member Join Date: January 20, 2007 Posts: 18	I've already reblued the barrel, won't this screw up the finish a bit

November 23, 2008, 11:02 PM	#9
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	You can also try to use a pointed punch to raise the metal in the bottom of the dovetail, Insert the sight and with a flat point punch sort of stake the sight in place by bending the very edge of the dovetail into the sight.

November 24, 2008, 12:54 AM	#11
Inspector3711 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2008 Location: Puget Sound Washington Posts: 1,553	+1 on the citrus strip.... That Scorch guy knows his stuff. I've used it too. You can re-apply it and control how much the stain is reduced after the initial stripping is done. It's way less toxic than traditional products but works like a champ. __________________ "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." The Dalai Llama (5/15/01, The Seattle Times) "That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." George Orwell

November 24, 2008, 02:12 AM	#12
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	Inspector: If a dye stain was used, no amount of stripper is going to make a difference. Most wood bleaches won't work either. Dye stains are made to be more than permanent, as in forever.

November 24, 2008, 07:49 PM	#14
mthom1957 Member Join Date: January 20, 2007 Posts: 18	Stock Refinishing Question? Thanks again guys for all of the advice one of these should work.