stock finishing temperature

ks_wayward_son · December 29, 2010, 08:07 AM

This may seem like a strange question, but is there an "optimum temperature range" in which to condition stocks? I have recently taken down my Enfield No. 4 and really would like to freshen up the wood on it...but of course in the dead of winter...and its about 20 or so degrees. I may think of attempting the procedure in-doors, but ventilation is a problem. I think it would somewhat have an affect on the blo treatment I want to use. Perhaps if I was running a space heater also...would that provide enough warmth (keep me from freezin' my hind end off too

). But then again, I heard that BLO can be prone to spontaneously combust

...geez...maybe I should just wait till springtime. IDK...thoughts, opinions?

Hawg · December 29, 2010, 08:33 AM

BLO will be hard to dry in cold temps. It's also prone to bleed in high humidity. Tung oil would be better. Optimum temp is 65-85 for most stains etc. I've done them in colder weather but drying time is really long.

wogpotter · December 29, 2010, 08:56 AM

Average room temps (65~80) should be comfortable for both you & your wood.
You could accelerate the process with a hair dryer passed back & forth till all the stock is evenly warmed. This will absolutely not ignite anything.
Alternatively you could vigorously rub the oiled wood with a rough fabric like burlap. This will heat & burnish at the same time.

DoctorXring · December 29, 2010, 09:25 AM

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Yes, room temperature or wait for spring.

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Scorch · December 30, 2010, 02:56 PM

Build a plywood box large enough to hold the stock and put a 30W lightbulb inside it. Make sure the bulb is not close enough to the stock to scorch it. The bulb will heat the inside of the box and cure the finish.

madcratebuilder · December 31, 2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

BLO can be prone to spontaneously combust

Any rags you use can be, just rinse them in hot water.

BLO does not have much in the way of 'gas off' I do all my refinish indoors in my office area with the window cracked open a few inches and the door closed.

smoakingun · January 1, 2011, 10:00 AM

both blo and tung oil have great smells, way better than anyting glade has to offer. the vapor out put is low and plesant, it is ok to do in the kitchen.

December 29, 2010, 08:07 AM	#1
ks_wayward_son Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2007 Posts: 332	stock finishing temperature This may seem like a strange question, but is there an "optimum temperature range" in which to condition stocks? I have recently taken down my Enfield No. 4 and really would like to freshen up the wood on it...but of course in the dead of winter...and its about 20 or so degrees. I may think of attempting the procedure in-doors, but ventilation is a problem. I think it would somewhat have an affect on the blo treatment I want to use. Perhaps if I was running a space heater also...would that provide enough warmth (keep me from freezin' my hind end off too ). But then again, I heard that BLO can be prone to spontaneously combust ...geez...maybe I should just wait till springtime. IDK...thoughts, opinions?

December 29, 2010, 08:33 AM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	BLO will be hard to dry in cold temps. It's also prone to bleed in high humidity. Tung oil would be better. Optimum temp is 65-85 for most stains etc. I've done them in colder weather but drying time is really long. Last edited by Hawg; December 29, 2010 at 08:40 AM.

December 29, 2010, 08:56 AM	#3
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Average room temps (65~80) should be comfortable for both you & your wood. You could accelerate the process with a hair dryer passed back & forth till all the stock is evenly warmed. This will absolutely not ignite anything. Alternatively you could vigorously rub the oiled wood with a rough fabric like burlap. This will heat & burnish at the same time. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

December 30, 2010, 02:56 PM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Build a plywood box large enough to hold the stock and put a 30W lightbulb inside it. Make sure the bulb is not close enough to the stock to scorch it. The bulb will heat the inside of the box and cure the finish. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

January 1, 2011, 10:00 AM	#7
smoakingun Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2009 Location: melrose, fl Posts: 634	both blo and tung oil have great smells, way better than anyting glade has to offer. the vapor out put is low and plesant, it is ok to do in the kitchen. __________________ Hundreds of years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove... But the world may be different because I did something so bafflingly crazy that my ruins become a tourist attraction.

December 29, 2010, 09:25 AM	#4
DoctorXring Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2002 Location: The Republic of Texas Posts: 392	. Yes, room temperature or wait for spring. .