k98 Stock Refinish

[Lanxs]

I would like to refinish the stock on my k98. It's in a pretty rough shape, and I want to fix it up, so I wanted to see if I could get any tips and what products would best suit my situation. I know it destroys the value, but this is one I'm always going to keep around. I've done a lot of looking around to see what I should get for doing this, and what I mostly see is a lot of different opinions ranging from Citristrip, Acetone, Tung Oil, and Boiled linseed oil. Among other things such as Rottenstone, fine steel wool, oxalic acid wood bleach, and denatured alcohol. I'm gonna post some pictures of it, and focus on some of the worst areas as best as the camera will allow me.

I've gotten a few splinters already from just holding it. It also has a fair amount of holes in it that I'm not quite sure how to deal with, or if I should just leave it be, (though I'd really like to fix it up). (It has Chinese markings on the side that say "Department of People Armed Forces). I'd appreciate any advice and tips, thanks!

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[browningautorifle]

Welcome to the forum, maybe a go with a palm sander and some paper to remove all the harsh dings...then just apply some tung oil. It's a laminate so if you apply a stripper, it may de-laminate to some extent. You don't need to go far with this one. It's almost as far as it can get now. Is it a Russian capture by chance?

[Lanxs]

Thank you for the welcome! A Russian capture would have a stamped X on it right? I tried looking all around for that, but I couldn't find one. There is a Z (or maybe an N) on it though, I'll add a picture of that.

[browningautorifle]

You're going to get the phone book on this one, everyone will have a different way to sort this out and see it in a different light. I see it needing some sanding. It can't hurt it and will end the splinters you say you get now.

[Aragorn243]

I redid my laminate stock way back when everyone thought oven cleaner was a good idea. Didn't hurt it by the way but it was the last time I used that method, nasty crap. I use Citristrip almost exclusively now although I never tried it on a laminate so caution would be required.

Negative on the palm sander unless you want a stock covered with tiny circles you can't see until you put finish on it. Been there, done that. Fine sandpaper with the grain my recommendation if you go that route. Looks like it's soaked with oil, get that out first. Strong sunshine, plastic bag, dashboard, etc will draw it out. It may be very soft also because of the oil. I had that problem with my Chinese Hanyang. Might have been the native wood that caused the problem but it looked a lot like your woods condition.

[browningautorifle]

Negative on the palm sander

Yeah...perhaps a sanding block or paper in hand. I was going with the fast method...

[Lanxs]

I don't mind it taking time one bit, what kind of grit for the paper would you recommend?

[browningautorifle]

Fine grit...depends on how aggressive you wish to be. Look at the papers available at the store and decide. Keep it fine enough not to destroy by remember it will fill up quickly with dust if too fine.

[Lanxs]

Thank you, would taking out the oil lighten up the color of the wood as well? It's pretty dark, and I think lightning it up would look pretty nice if that were possible.

[Aragorn243]

Removing the oil should lighten it up a lot, but you may need a treatment of some sort. I'd get several grits of sandpaper. Probably no more coarse than 100 to start, then get progressively finer. If 100 seems to harsh, go higher. I finish with paper so fine you can't even really feel the grit. Makes the wood shine, and the palm sander circles stand out. :-)