Early Inland Value - Stock Restore

[Bruce McAskill]

Mike, The stock when he got the carbine was covered in varnish and it was peeling off. He wanted to remove it and I told him to use a striper and no sand paper and it appears that he did. It now looks to be in excellent shape and does need the stain and the RLO treatment to protect it. I also told him the stock was very early and was worth more then the carbine. I am sure if Marcus is around he could post some photos of the stock he got from you if he is not too busy harvesting the corn that is.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Oct-Nov is corn harvesting time.

[Travis1203]

No I do not plan on coloring the stock. I like the natural color of the walnut. I will just put a bunch of coats of RLO on it. Thanks for everyones info.

[Bubba-7]

One thing is RLO is harder to find than BLO. If needed, the stocks were stained with a red power that mixed with alcohol. I would suggest before you seal the wood think about restaining it. Then, first coat is a 50-50 mixture using minerial sprits or turpintine. Second coat is 100% RLO. Put it on heavy and when finished going over the stock, wipe off all that has not soaked into the wood. Let dry an hour at least and it is ready to go. BLO has to dry 24 to 48 hours.
If you want it shinny, use more coats of RLO or BLO (which I would never do). You can put BLO over RLO but you can not put RLO over BLO. RLO does not fill in all the grain of the wood and you can feel them. This is a more GI look and feel to it. BLO makes a more hard and slick finish, more like commerical stocks. I don't like the shinny look. Rische 6 ed., page 116, Under "STOCK FINISH". Since the stock manufacturers used an alcohol based stain, it dried very quickly.
BLO is a better wood sealer than RLO. RLO penetrates into the wood better.

[USGI]

You can get the RLO at Walgreens. It's in the vitamin and supplement section of the store - "Flax Seed Oil." - Bob

[ABPOS]

Flax seed oil is RLO? I've eaten that stuff.

[USGI]

Due to the chemicals added to the BLO, you should use rubber gloves when applying it. The drug store flax seed oil is edible. That's not going to hold true for RLO from other sources. - Bob

[painter777]

No matter the oil one decides to use, it can be lightly tinted to help color a stock.
One old CC newsletter has a report from a member who talked with people from Lumb Woodworking. His report stated Lumb used a tinted Tung Oil.
If I get time this weekend I'll try to find the issue. It was a very early newsletter.

What is true.... some stocks were stained, some not. Depended on the woods natural color.
Picture shows a Robert Irwin worker test fitting a stock, other shows a fellow worker sanding stocks.

FWIW,
Charlie-painter777

[Travis1203]

Those are great photos. I wish I could go back in time and hold the carbine that I have when it was new. That would be cool.

[ABPOS]

Yeah, me too!