Pine Tar Finish

The Rattler · March 25, 2015, 10:48 AM

Are any of you familiar wth pine tar as a finish for wood stocks?

What are the benefits & disadvantages? Not as much on the web about it unlike BLO & Tung Oil.

2ndsojourn · March 25, 2015, 01:01 PM

The only thing I put pine tar on is a wood baseball bat. It made it sticky.

HiBC · March 25, 2015, 01:21 PM

Actually,I did it once about 40 yeas ago.I was using some Bonna 2400 wood cross country skis back then,or trying to.Never did really become a sier...but living in Colorado,seemed like something to try.

Wood ski bottoms see a lot of water.And,the pine tar is a base for the ski wax.

I had a 35 Whelen on an 03A3 with the classical"at the time" basic cut down milstock.

After a little sanding and shaping was done,I pine tarred it.

You spread it on,then use a heat gun or propane torch to gently warm the wood till you see bubbles come out of the wood.As the wood cools,the tar will be drawn in where the air/steam was driven out.You want it on there like a coat of pancake syrup.Wet.

Rub it down good.You can oil over it.

It looked like a typical dark walnut military finish.

So,grab a chunk scrap walnut or other hardwood,give issome rounded shape,so its not a flat board,and try it.See what you think.

Its a utility finish,dark,flat.It worked for me till some guy offered me too much money for it.

March 25, 2015, 10:48 AM	#1
The Rattler Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2013 Posts: 111	Pine Tar Finish Are any of you familiar wth pine tar as a finish for wood stocks? What are the benefits & disadvantages? Not as much on the web about it unlike BLO & Tung Oil.

March 25, 2015, 01:21 PM	#3
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,288	Actually,I did it once about 40 yeas ago.I was using some Bonna 2400 wood cross country skis back then,or trying to.Never did really become a sier...but living in Colorado,seemed like something to try. Wood ski bottoms see a lot of water.And,the pine tar is a base for the ski wax. I had a 35 Whelen on an 03A3 with the classical"at the time" basic cut down milstock. After a little sanding and shaping was done,I pine tarred it. You spread it on,then use a heat gun or propane torch to gently warm the wood till you see bubbles come out of the wood.As the wood cools,the tar will be drawn in where the air/steam was driven out.You want it on there like a coat of pancake syrup.Wet. Rub it down good.You can oil over it. It looked like a typical dark walnut military finish. So,grab a chunk scrap walnut or other hardwood,give issome rounded shape,so its not a flat board,and try it.See what you think. Its a utility finish,dark,flat.It worked for me till some guy offered me too much money for it. Last edited by HiBC; March 25, 2015 at 01:27 PM.

March 25, 2015, 01:01 PM	#2
2ndsojourn Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,416	The only thing I put pine tar on is a wood baseball bat. It made it sticky.