Originally Posted by
Singer B
While researching replacement finishes for my M39 (I'm still not sure what that original finish should be), I learned that BLO contains an oxidizer which helps it to dry and set up quicker. You rub it in by hand so the heat from you hand and the rubbing friction activates the drying agent. Over time, that oxidizer will reportedly turn an orange color. I went ahead and used it on the M39 since it has a dark colored stock and covered it with a couple coats of homemade Gunny's wax. I personally have never seen this change of color happen but I have only been doing this for a few years.