BLO on Garand Stock Question

[Amsdorf]

I am applying BLO to a 1955 Garsnd, CMP Colkector Grade, the stock is beautiful, bu quite dull looking, I have hit it with two good coats of BLO, but it is as if I put none on, still flat /dull with no shine at all

Does this mean it is so dried out I just have to keep adding coats of BLO? Or is this normal and I should not be looking for it to shine up at all?

Thanks for any advice you might have for me.

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[Mark in Rochester]

if you want shine try tru oil

[Rick Cummelin]

Yep, Tru Oil is what you need.

[Bob Seijas]

Or tung oil. However, the Conservator at SA recommended wax, not oil. He insisted that wood does not need to be "fed."

[Amsdorf]

My other M1 stocks have a nice warm "glow" not a dazzling mirror like shine in the example above, but the other one just looks completely dull and flat.

[John Wyatt]

I usually wipe down a newly acquired stock with some mineral spirits before applying BLO. Just a light wipe down with a cotton rag to remove any dirt, but not enough to disturb the patina. The a light coat or two of BLO to condition the wood. Works well for me here in dry Southern California

[JBS]

Attachment 28928Very gentle buff with cleaned 0000 steel wool. This will produce a sheen instead of a gloss. Here is one of my restorations

[Orlando]

My other M1 stocks have a nice warm "glow" not a dazzling mirror like shine in the example above, but the other one just looks completely dull and flat.

Stocks that have been handled alot will get that smooth sheen

[GarandMan]

Do what John Wyatt said a light wipe down with Mineral Spirits and wipe dry. This will take off some dirt. Then mix 30% turpentine and 70% BLO. Rub it in real good and let it set over night. If tomorrow its kind of tacky use 0000 steel or brass wool and lightly polish. The turpentine will lighten the stock a little plus helps in rubbing it in the wood. If after setting over night and it isn't tacky just polish it with a clean cotton rag. Show us pictures when your finished.

[togor]

This may be a contrary point of view, but if by collector grade you mean you have a CMP Collector Grade certificate for this rifle, then one question to ask would be: why put anything on it at all? The sheen & patina on some rifles comes from repeated application of Raw linseed oil (not BLO), plus repeated handling, as other have said. But Collector Grade rifles by definition haven't been handled that much and one would not expect them to look as though they have. From a value point of view I think the best bet is to leave it dull, or even slightly blotchy, which is indicative of wood with nothing more than the factory Tung Oil finish.