I would like to just use a paint brush and paint the inside of the stock with BLO and let it soak up some oil. Any ideas if this is a good or bad idea? I've done it on an M1 rifle and it really seemed to soak it up. Any ideas?
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I would like to just use a paint brush and paint the inside of the stock with BLO and let it soak up some oil. Any ideas if this is a good or bad idea? I've done it on an M1 rifle and it really seemed to soak it up. Any ideas?
I don't know if it's good or bad but I lightly BLO my stocks inside and out. I understand they were factory dipped and drip dried originally so the inside is certainly not unfinished wood. JMHO
Dave, I'd do it. It will certainly seal the wood and help prevent drying and cracking. But, then again. I like BLO finishes on my carbines. When I "freshened up" the stock on my un-messed with Inland, and the shooter stock for it, I BLOed the inside also.
Oiling the inside is a great idea.
I like to thin the BLO in half with Mineral spirits AFTER I'VE WARMED THE BLO UP. Better penetration.
Good idea to screw a recoil plate screw on until it pops out the bottom threads of the Escutheon nut, Wipe grease on the ends threads first.
Just keep wiping the external sides clean of BLO until no more runs out.
If the buttplate will come off I also like to stand the end grain in a pool of blo, so it soaks in to the end grain.
CH-P777
Use raw linseed oil cut 1:1 with turpentine. BLO has driers in it that allow it to set-up and turn into a hard coating which doesn't allow future oil to penetrate.
Thanks very much guys. I look inside that beautiful Winchester stock and think "Boy could this use some oil".
The raw linseed oil will definitely soak in better and not produce as much shine. Hard to find except in art supply stores in small quantities for outrageous prices. (US only, other countries it's naot as big a drama.)
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tuff0202-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tuff0232-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tuff0222-1.jpg
Non-toxic to boot!
Ooorr...in the health food section of some grocery stores for a somewhat better price with a fancy name. (Linseed oil is made from flax seed):
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...uff00221-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tuff0053-1.jpg
It's actually quite tasty. I like it on Southern -style cooked down green beans. Less artery clogging than the lard...
Keeping it in the 'fridge does prolong shelf life- if it doesn't get eaten! The last of the Grumbacher's linseed oil has started to thicken, but the Whole Foods linseed oil is still good. (Did have to buy a bigger bottle for kitchen use, as this test bottle was draining quickly...)
I would not brush it on . Rub it in a drop or two at a time . Should not take much unless not taken care of for years.
Chris
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmoore
Shelf life? Probably longer than mine. The linseed oil I use for external good looks was originally comestible oil from a food shop. Pre-1990. And it now has the consistency of comb honey. This liquid gold is indeed applied drop by drop - it's nice to think that my rifles are living healthily, with all those Omega 3 constituents.
But for oiling inside the stocks, I use linseed oil from a professional paint suppliers. This is not yet so venerable (only about 15 years) and soaks into the wood more readily. And I do paint it on on the inside, using a small, rather stiff brush (like a fine glue brush) to get into every corner.
For us shooters, who normally keep our rifles out of the rain, oil on the outside of the stock is largely cosmetic, but oiling the inside is a conservation measure that should not be overlooked. So brush it in well.
Like Charlie & others, I do cut my BLO 50/50 to thin it down before I hand rub it on inside and out. For years I used mineral spirits but somebody turned me on to turpentine a couple of years ago and I do like it better. It may be my imagination but it seems to go on smoother, dries faster, smells better and I kinda like the 'organic' concept - it comes almost directly from trees. I understand the RLO concept, both functional and historical, and I have no argument with it. However, my stocks are not museum grade and don't receive the continuous rough treatment and frequent oiling that an in-service stock requires, so build-up is not as much of a problem with the BLO as compared to the RLO. The thinly applied BLO dries faster and gives me the look and protection I want on my stocks. Works for me. To each his own.
Raw linseed oil is a much better and original finish. I order it by the gallon at my local Ace Hardware. It's also made by Parks and available at most big home supply places like Home Depot or Lowes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Dick
Not in my area! So far all I get from local folk are either funny looks or "I haven't seen any of the stuff in a long time. But we do have boiled linsed oil..."
Some Walgreen drug stores carry "flax seed" oil in 8 oz. bottles. It'll be found in the "vitamin and supplements" section. I've used both, but like the BLO better. - Bob
JM, Amazing, have you tried Home Depot or Lowes? My two local hardware stores are most helpful and will order it if it's not in stock. I have a gallon of Parks I'm working out of now. Lasts a looooooong time! Brian
Those, TruValue, Ace, Wally World (which DOES sell a good non-toxic BLO), Rockler (argumentative sorts!) and Sherwin Willams in multiple locations. You'd think the paint store guys would be the most clued-in, but the situation is quite the opposite. In one instance the fellow behind the counter did not even know of the existance of linseed oil! Yikers...Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Dick
When I was in France in July 2009 getting the battlefield tour of the Somme with DRP, I actually saw a crop I didn't recognize growing in beautiful fields. I asked Roger and he told me it was linseed! Hound your favorite hardware store to get it for you. It does exist.
Oddly, Canada seems to be the world's leader in flax/linseed production. Followed by Spain, I think.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Dick
Given the small amounts needed, the local grocer will serve well enough for the time being. And the "local" hardware store is probably even harder to find than RLO anymore!
For the life of me I cannot understand why anyone would put anything on these stocks but Raw Linseed oil. It is well documented that this is what was used on these stocks so why would anyone want to put anything else on them? Regards, Rick.
My reason is that I have a can of BLO out in the garage.
Walmart has it in thier vitamin section.
8 oz or so for $6 something . Health food store was $25 for 20oz. Listed as Organic Flax oil. Didn't know there was a non-organic source .
Chris
I understand putting it (raw linseed oil) on a stock with original finish. If you have a stock with a BLO finish already, or a well glazed original finish, RLO won't sink in.
The supply of Tung Oil in the US was non-existent during WWII. Supplies from China were stopped by the war and the US domestic production was wiped out by frost from 1934 to 1940. Tung oil therefor, was not used on any US rifles made during WWII. It is untrue that Raw Linseed oil will not penetrate wood previously treated with Boiled Linseed oil. BLO contains driers that speed up the drying process and had not been invented until after WWII. Depending on the type of wood, the driers used in BLO will possibly darken the wood with continuous use over years of application. If you are using BLO on your precious US or British Milsurps I urge you to stop as down the road this product will more than likely alter the color of your stocks. Raw Linseed Oil is cheaper than BLO and available at almost every hardware store in the USA and Brownells carries it also. Use just a few drops and rub into the wood using the palm of your hand until the wood starts to feel warm. Re-coat after 24 hours. Regards, Rick.
Some good info in this thread from the rambunctous Edward Horton. (Primarily dealing with No.4 accuracy, but good linseed oil info, too.):
Getting the most accuracy from a No. 4 MK1*
That is the best thread on the subject I've ever read. Edward Horton covers all the bases and is a must read as his summary also applies to US Military surplus firearms. I treat my stocks with Raw Linseed oil every 6 months.....once/month seems a bit much. Thanks, jmoore for the terrific link. I wonder why Mr Horton was banned? Regards, Rick.
See the first page of the link provided by Jmoore,
Set up to submerge the stock in the oil bath,
Getting the most accuracy from a No. 4 MK1*
CH-P777
Mr. Horton? Banned? Mostly because he didn't suffer fools. But managed to act like one half the time. i miss him!
Who would have known that the same flax seed oil I take for cardiovascular health would also be good for my rifle stocks !!! LOL! :) JW