Stock Refinishing ??????

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Another Enfield followed me home. It could use some TLC.

Knowing next to nothing about wood refinishing I had a look at youtube and found these videos by two young southern gentlemen. Before I do anything, I'd like to hear from people who have restored these wood stocks. What do you think is the best way to go?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p21MKDi3r8o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_Z_h76Sd1w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CReRbqCBj7I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvryJL9okd8

It looks like they get good results.

Any pointers are greatly appreciated.

V

Why do you want to refinish it? It looks like a nice original no.5. I'd like to see more pictures of it.

It looks better in the pictures than it is. I have other Enfields that have a nice patina. This one is grimy. It's hard to capture in pictures. Other than that it's fine and shoots well.

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Oh, there are these too. They are drilled through the action and barrel chamber. I plan to use the wood to put some of the sporters I have back to their original configuration.

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The grime can be carefully cleaned without destroying the original finish. I'd just hate to see an honest guns value altered. Hopefully people with more experience than I will chime in.

Yes, we implore you, don't refinish the gun. You'll destroy the historical value. If you want the wood to look brand new, I'd suggest buying a new made stock set and saving the original. Might I suggest giving the wood a thorough cleaning first? You'd be surprised how great these can look.
Lots of methods out there for cleaning. A decent one with an easy to follow tutorial can be found at Midway USA (gunsmith supplier web site). Go to the learning center and they have a bunch of videos that are really great. I think the one you're looking for is about cleaning up an old rolling block. Good luck and post some pics.

There is also a way of doing it without destroying the rack number(it's part of the history of the gun). You can try a scrub of 50/50 linseed oil and turpentine and oooo steel wool. I'm sure I saw threads on the way to do it.

How to Clean Years of Dirt and Grime from a Remington Rolling Block - YouTube

Has anyone used this method?

It is your rifle to do as you may but to ask these folks how to refinish the wood and remove the character and history of this fine rifle is wrong just wrong.

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Originally Posted by NRA

It is your rifle to do as you may but to ask these folks how to refinish the wood and remove the character and history of this fine rifle is wrong just wrong.

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It's filthy. Who should I ask if not these people? I see lots of restored Enfields on this site, like this one, An Enfield comes back from the grave, here's the story... warning, lots of photos.. Why are you not telling him removing the filth destroyed the character?

Removing filth is one thing. Sanding it down and removing WOOD is another. Just making sure you understand that we are making a distinction. I'm all for stripping years if grime off of a gun. But once you take sandpaper to it you strip off the natural aged patina off the wood. Nothing can replace that except another 60 plus years of use. That's all we're trying to say. I've known lots of guys who have kicked themselves for doing what you are about to do.

Like I said before, if you want that brand new from the factory look, why not get a reproduction stock set? This way if you ever plan to sell the rifle you can put the old stock back on and get your money out of it.

Don't take offense. The guys on here (myself included) collect these for the history as much as for shooting. "Restoring" a gun destroys the historical value. At that point it's just a shooter and it's historical integrity is gone. Sure, it's still an Enfield. But you will essentially be erasing any story that gun could tell through it's battle marks and patina. It's something we're pretty passionate about as you can tell!

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Originally Posted by nhetzer

Removing filth is one thing. Sanding it down and removing WOOD is another. Just making sure you understand that we are making a distinction. I'm all for stripping years if grime off of a gun. But once you take sandpaper to it you strip off the natural aged patina off the wood. Nothing can replace that except another 60 plus years of use. That's all we're trying to say. I've known lots of guys who have kicked themselves for doing what you are about to do.

Like I said before, if you want that brand new from the factory look, why not get a reproduction stock set? This way if you ever plan to sell the rifle you can put the old stock back on and get your money out of it.

Don't take offense. The guys on here (myself included) collect these for the history as much as for shooting. "Restoring" a gun destroys the historical value. At that point it's just a shooter and it's historical integrity is gone. Sure, it's still an Enfield. But you will essentially be erasing any story that gun could tell through it's battle marks and patina. It's something we're pretty passionate about as you can tell!

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what he said

edit:
BTW I think itlooks great the way it is

nhetzer,

You don't have to keep repeating what not to do. I got it the first time. :surrender: What I am looking for is some useful information on what to do. You recommended the Midway USA cleaning method (used on an old rolling block). It looks like it might work,, maybe a little more than this #5 needs. It's hard for me to tell. Have you used the method? Can you show me some pictures of a gun you have used it on?

I understand you're passionate,,, trust me, I want to keep the patina. But the dirt and strong chicken coop smell has to go. If you can help me with that, I would greatly appreciate it.

I didn't mean to beat that to death. I was just trying to help you understand where we all are coming from and that nobody was personally attacking you. It's your gun at the end if the day, do what you wish.
I have not tried that specific method on the Midway website but I have had good results with lots of the other tutorials so I feel like they put out solid information. I've used Krud Cutter before, like the guys in the video you posted, though I didn't go through the whole production. I've used hardwood floor cleaner, hot water, gun cleaner, all sorts of things.

Every gun is a little different and I'm still searching for that "perfect all around method". Everything I've tried has worked to some degree, some better than others. It seems like every guy has their own thing. A lot of guys swear by "Ed's Red" but I've never mixed it up. The recipe is all over the web. At the end of the day, I'd start off with something mild like a wood cleaner and see if you like the results. If not, move into the heavier duty stuff. Best of luck.

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Originally Posted by gsimmons

There is also a way of doing it without destroying the rack number(it's part of the history of the gun). You can try a scrub of 50/50 linseed oil and turpentine and oooo steel wool. I'm sure I saw threads on the way to do it.

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Works very well in my limited experience.

PS : Is there a problem with posting of links to Youtube or is it just me?

Are you using the insert video button to post the url?

I tried the Midway USA lacquer thinner and 0000 steel wool on one the drill rifles today. It did clean the grime away,,, but I am thinking it's a bit too harsh for the #5.

I will test the linseed oil and turpentine next.

One of the drill rifles still has its brass disk.

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Originally Posted by HOOKED ON HISTORY

Works very well in my limited experience.

PS : Is there a problem with posting of links to Youtube or is it just me?

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I tested this issue on my MacBook Pro running Mountain Lion OSX with FireFox 19.0, Safari 6.0.2 and Google Chrome 25.0. I also tested it on Windows 7 running Google Chrome. Videos are appearing and running fine.

There may be an issue for some members like HOOKED ON HISTORY who are running Windows 7 and some version of IE (Microsoft Internet Explorer) which I'm looking into. If you are having problems with that combination, could your try Google Chrome and let me know if it fixes any anomalies you are experiencing. It's a better (and safer) browser anyway. :D

You should see videos that play in-line with each post as shown here:

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(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Does anyone else see a blank white video image like this?

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I don't want to mess up the original focus of this thread, so if anyone has feedback, could you please email it to me at badger@milsurps.com instead of posting here.

Thanks .. :thup:

Regards,
Doug