+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Linseed Oil

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Contributing Member Aragorn243's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 03:56 PM
    Location
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    6,973
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:22 AM

    Linseed Oil

    I have a 1917 Eddystone that I cleaned up and coated with BLOicon. Not sure how many coats, lost count but it's quite a few. It has reached the point now where it has a nice shine on it but it is slightly sticky. Not that anything comes off on your hands but it just feels tacky. Does this signify the stock is fully saturated?

    I've done 8 other rifles and this is the only one this is happening too. All the others seem to hold the BLOicon so that if you rub them down without adding more, they start to shine.
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    gunner's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Last On
    09-02-2018 @ 08:20 AM
    Location
    Bavaria, Germany
    Posts
    1,657
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    12:22 PM
    I had the same and used an hair dryer to make it warm and rubbed it down and it was OK. Maybe it works for you too.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Johnny Peppers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    05-01-2015 @ 11:25 PM
    Posts
    1,810
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:22 AM
    Sounds like too many coats, and not completely dry between coats. Try it cut 50/50 with turpentine and you will like it a lot better. Penetrates better and dries faster.

  6. #4
    Contributing Member Aragorn243's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 03:56 PM
    Location
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    6,973
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:22 AM
    Thread Starter
    Johnny,

    It's been at least two weeks since I put a coat on this particular rifle and it was over a month between that coat and the one previous.

    I may try the hair dryer just to see what it does. It's not a big deal as it wipes off with a rag. I like the shine though.

  7. #5
    Moderator
    (Lee Enfield Forum)


    tbonesmith's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Last On
    03-05-2024 @ 02:45 AM
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    1,076
    Real Name
    Thomas Smith
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    11:22 PM
    When my p14 did the same thing I hit it with very fine steel wool to pull the tacky surface layer off. Worked fine. I've done plenty of rifles to and this only happened on this one rifle.

  8. #6
    Advisory Panel Patrick Chadwick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last On
    06-25-2023 @ 06:36 AM
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    5,032
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    02:22 PM

    I would do this...

    If it is tacky or even "weeping", then no more BLOicon. Just rub down with a cloth dampened (not soaked) in pure turpentine (NOT the "ersatz" stuff used for brush cleaning or paint thinning). Light, quick polishing movements, not rubbing around on one spot. Repeat daily until the tackiness is gone. This will a) help the BLOicon to penetrate the top layer a bit better b) accelerate the drying.

    No wire wool (you may not be able to see the individual scratches, but they are there, and tend to dull the surface).
    No hair dryers (this produces a superficial dry layer, but below the skin there is still the excess of moist BLO).
    No chemicals or additives of any sort.
    Nothing but a clean cloth, pure terpentine, and patient work!

    Patrick


    Quote Originally Posted by Aragorn243 View Post
    Not sure how many coats, lost count but it's quite a few.

    That was the cause of the trouble, I think - impatience. There is no "quick fix" substitute for a century or so of regular care!
    Last edited by Patrick Chadwick; 03-19-2011 at 07:55 AM.

  9. #7
    Contributing Member Aragorn243's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 03:56 PM
    Location
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    6,973
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:22 AM
    Thread Starter
    Patrick,

    I wouldn't call it impatience, I've been putting BLOicon on this for over 9 months now but I do get your point. Even 9 months isn't the same as nearly 100 years. I just think I've finally reached the saturation point with it.

    The only other stocks I've noticed with weeping have been stocks of American Walnut like the 1917 so I also suspect some of the "trouble" is the type of wood. The other two have not reached the "tacky" stage yet and probably won't because I'm pretty much finished with those two other than maybe an annual coating.

  10. #8
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Johnny Peppers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    05-01-2015 @ 11:25 PM
    Posts
    1,810
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:22 AM
    The term coated seems to imply that you have a built up finish on the rifle now. If that was your original goal, then you have achieved what you were trying to accomplish. On the Springfield Armory military rifle stocks the finish was acquired by submerging the stocks in a vat of heated linseed oilicon, then remove them and let them drain. No additional coats were applied.
    This is the stock on a 1903 Springfield that dates to early 1916. It was sold through the DCM to an NRA member and remained in nice condition. The stock has little build up of finish, and the grain is still open.


  11. #9
    Moderator
    (Lee Enfield Forum)


    tbonesmith's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Last On
    03-05-2024 @ 02:45 AM
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    1,076
    Real Name
    Thomas Smith
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    11:22 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Johnny Peppers View Post
    On the Springfield Armory military rifle stocks the finish was acquired by submerging the stocks in a vat of heated linseed oilicon, then remove them and let them drain. No additional coats were applied.
    On that point, I recently did this with an unused wood set for my No4T rebuild, and the wood came up absolutely perfect in finish, in terms of looking original. I would absolutely recommend this method, and it is definitely what I will be doing for my rebuilds from here.
    Couple of bits of advice though, let it sit submerged in the hot linseed oilicon for 3 hours, wipe/brush off heavy excess when you remove from the submersion bath, be prepared to let it dry for days, cause it takes(took me) about 3 or 4 days to be right.
    In my opinion this is the best way to go. You can easily recover almost all the linseed oilicon. Dead easy.

  12. #10
    Advisory Panel Patrick Chadwick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last On
    06-25-2023 @ 06:36 AM
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    5,032
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    02:22 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Aragorn243 View Post
    The only other stocks I've noticed with weeping have been stocks of American Walnut like the 1917 so I also suspect some of the "trouble" is the type of wood.

    I agree. I have several pieces "on the boil(ed linseed oilicon)" at the moment. Success varies from the stock for the percussion Annschuetz (bone dry originally, but coming up beautifiully after two coats) to a Chassepot (the wood is much more porous, and is still weeping after weeks). There may be some catalytic effect in certain types of wood. I also suspect that the more "open" the wood is, the more it soaks up and the longer it takes to dry.

    BTW Johnny Peppers: if I could get a finish like that, I would be delighted!

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Boiled Linseed Oil on stock
    By Aragorn243 in forum The Restorer's Corner
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 10-16-2010, 11:24 AM
  2. Raw linseed darker?
    By GerryRA in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 01-30-2010, 06:57 PM
  3. What's the best stain for wood before Linseed oil is applied?
    By louthepou in forum The Restorer's Corner
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 04-07-2009, 04:38 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks