Guns, Stain, Woodworking Tips
Best Gun Stock Finish for A Rifle
Best Gun Stock Finish for A Rifle Or Shot Gun
When you buy a gun and doing your research, you are not warned enough about the maintenance required. You were probably told to clean the rifle, but not that it needs regular maintenance.
The best finish for rifle stock is the easiest to apply and maintain. These products are easier to use and maintain than polyurethane.
Let’s look at this list.
The Best Finishes for Gun Stocks (Updated List).
I took into consideration all of the criteria when choosing the finish for the rifle stocks, including durability, type of finish, and even the ease of application. I also looked at real customer reviews in order to make sure that the products we recommend are loved by customers.
1. Editor’s Choice: Birchwood Casey Complete Gun Finishing Kit
- Material of the highest quality
- Manufacturer: Birchwood Casey
- Complete gun finish kit Bw Casey
The ultimate gun finish kit that I discovered recently is something I’m excited to share with you. This is a complete kit that contains everything you need to restore your rifle’s appearance and preserve all its parts.
This kit has the advantage of not being a multipurpose finish. This is a finish that can do several things well, but not very well. It is composed of specialized products which excel in their respective fields.
You will find in the kit a walnut dye, tru-oil, stock and sheen conditioners, Perma Blue liquid gun blues, blue and corrosion removers, cleaner-degreaser and gun cloth. Also included is a refinishing manual and sponge. Only sandpaper, and steel wool are missing.
This kit allows me to finish a gun, from the wood stock, through bluing and oiling. I can also refinish a gun by cleaning, staining and oiling. If I am patient and follow the instructions, I can get great results.
Also noteworthy are the individual benefits of staining and oil finishing. They offer protection against UV, temperature and water changes. They are long-lasting, durable, and do not crack, yellow or become cloudy.
This gun finish kit is fantastic and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to enhance the appearance of their rifle or preserve its condition.
The Good
- The whole gun can be taken care of
- Easy to use (some applicators included)
- The material does not crack or yellow easily
- Oil finish is environmentally friendly
The Not So Good
- All the accessories may not be necessary.
2. Flitz KG 41501 Mixed Knife & Gun Care Kit
- The kit includes (1) 1. Polish 76 ounces (1) 1. 76 ounces gun, rifle and knife wax. 7 ounces of tactical matte finish cleaner, and a 16″ x 16″ microfiber cloth.
- TACTICAL MATT FINISH CLEANER – Anti-smear formula for firearms, knives and stainless steel. Both the interior and the exterior of the bore can be cleaned safely. Non-toxic, non-abrasive, non-flammable formula.
- This gun and knife wax formula is made from premium carnauba, beeswax, and stainless steel. It can be used to polish or hand-rub stocks and on firearms in nickel and stainless steel. Non-toxic, non-abrasive, non-flammable formula.
- When you own several knives and firearms, a complete gun care kit can be very useful. The Flitz KG includes a matte finish tactical cleaner, a gun and knife polish, and a gun and blade wax. The formula can be used on metal and wood pieces.
This unique combination of White Brazilian Carnauba, Beeswax and Beeswax is both easy to use and environmentally friendly. The wax can be used either by hand-rubbing or polishing.
It will not damage or stain your rifle’s metal parts if you accidentally apply it. This is a unique finish for gun stocks. This finish is non-flammable which is important for firearms.
The microfiber cloth that comes in the package is great for buffing the wax after you have applied it to your stock.
The wax is not as deeply absorbed into the wood, so it is not recommended for bare wood. Flitz KG, however, is the best choice if you only want to revive an existing finish.
The Good
- All parts of the rifle can be used.
- Easy to Apply
- The product comes in an easy-to-use package.
The Not So Good
- No suitable for bare wooden surfaces
- The best microfiber cloth is not available
3. Birchwood Casey Walnut is the best wood stain for gun stocks
- This Birchwood Casey Wood Stain is a rich, even color that brings out the beauty and richness of fine woods. It also gives you a durable finish. This walnut stain has a brown-walnut hue for a traditional look.
- WALNUT-Water-soluble stain that is sun-fast and true to color. It produces a rich, clear color without clouding the grain or smearing. This is a great stain for maple, alder or light walnut wood.
- The Birchwood Casey Wood Stain has a water-based stain, so you can easily control the color intensity by adding water or full strength to light colored woods like birch.
Birchwood Casey walnut stain is the best formula for bringing out the beauty and color of wood.
This wood stain is a game changer in my gun stock refinishing project. The rich, dark brown color brings the bare wood back to life in minutes.
This wood stain helps me achieve my desired results quickly and easily, whether I am working on an older gun stock or one that is brand new. It’s water-soluble and easy to use.
This product applies evenly and smoothly without smearing the wood grain. It is true to color, and leaves a beautiful finish.
There may be a debate about the best shade to achieve, but I have found a solution that is simple. Add a little bit of water to achieve a lighter color or add more layers for a darker one.
This wood stain dries very quickly. I can move on to the next part of my application without having to wait too long.
Although there are mixed reviews about this product, I personally find it to be a great wood stain for firearm stocks. The results are excellent and it is very easy to use.
The Good
- Easy to Apply
- Water-soluble
- True to color
- Doesn’t bleed, smear or smear
- Small quantities last a long time
The Not So Good
- The applicator kit is not included
- It takes several coats to make it dark
4. Best Gun Stock Oil Finish - Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil
- Birchwood Casey Gun Stock Finish has a unique blend of natural oils and linseed that dries quickly and won’t yellow, cloud or crack over time. This kit contains everything you need to finish your new stock, or to refinish a worn out stock.
- RICH, EVEN COLOR: Brings out richness and beauty in fine woods. Long-lasting finish. Unique blend of linseed oil and natural oils that dries quickly and won’t cloud or yellow. Resists water and won’t crack, cloud, or yellow.
- Easy to Apply – Use a cloth or wood stain brush to apply oil in the direction of the grain. Its special formula penetrates wood pores in just 5 minutes and produces a rich, warm glow.
This product has been tested and proven for many years, and it has never disappointed when it comes to refinishing firearm stocks. Birchwood Casey Tru Oil is a gun stock oil finish made of linseed, and other natural oils. The result is an easy-to-apply, long-lasting finish that is water-resistant and doesn’t cloud.
This oil finish is my favorite. This formula is easy to apply with my fingertip. This product, unlike waxes, is only meant to be used on unfinished wood. I’d need to remove the finish first before applying it.
I have been able to apply many coats of the oil despite its small size. It takes the oil about eight hours to dry in between coats. This is a decent time for an oil finish. This formula will not yellow with time either, which is rare for an oil finish.
This gunstock oil finish is resistant to UV light and temperature fluctuations.
The sealer is a great bonus for recoil pads and under-buttplates to protect your stock.
The Good
- Eco-friendly because it is made from natural oils
- Water-resistant
- The paint does not crack, yellow or cloud over time
The Not So Good
- The product cannot be used to finish wood.
5. Best Oil for Walnut Gun Stock-Milsek Gun Cleaner & Oil
- LEMON OIL FURNISHING CLEANER: Cleanse and polishes your furniture, leaving behind a lemony scent.
- This wood furniture cleaner is suitable for all wood species, including dark and light woods.
- Milsek does more than just clean wood furniture. It protects and restores your wood surfaces.
I love convenience. Milsek’s Gun Cleaner & Oil is my choice. I can clean and refinish the gun with just one application.
This finish contains neither silicone nor wax. It is easy to apply and does not leave any greasy residue that could cause my gun to malfunction or damage it.
The included cloth is multi-purpose and allows me to use the cleaner on any stock, whether it be a rifle, shotgun or handgun.
This oil can be used to restore the sheen and color of my synthetic or wooden gun, making it look like new.
Milsek is known for making multi-purpose cleaners which are some of the best available on the market.
This mixture also repels water and dirt. It keeps my gun clean and protected longer. It’s important to note that the formula is only suitable for finished wood.
The Good
- Easy to Apply
- This can be used for a variety of guns
- This product does not contain silicone or harmful wax
- This is not greasy
The Not So Good
- This product can only be applied to finished wood.
- The wood is not penetrated by the protection
6. The best finish for small projects is the Lin-Speed gun stock finish
- Lin-Speed is a grain revealing oil that reveals extreme grains.
- Use on guitars, gunstocks, knives, pens and bar tops.
- Lin-Speed can be used easily
Lin-speed Gun Stock Finish and Care Oil is a great formula for refinishing rifle stocks. The oil finish is a product that has been available for almost seven decades. Its formula has also remained the same.
It was designed originally for gun stocks but I’ve found that it also works well on furniture, knives, pens, bar tops, guitars and other items.
This oil finish, unlike polyurethane finishes, penetrates deeply into the wood and causes grain to raise. There are no buildups and I can now feel the texture of the wood directly. Here’s a guide to on how to fix and prevent raised wood grain.
As it penetrates into the wood, it also freezes any raised grain making it easier to sand prior to a second coat. It is easy to use and gives off a subtle glow in the sunlight.
When working on multiple rifles, I can use my fingers or a soft sponge brush to apply the Lin Speed Finish. This small 2-ounce jar will cover five gun stocks.
Lin speed finish is a product that dries quickly in 2 to 6 hours. It’s easy to touch up the gun stock when I see any abrasions.
The Good
- Easy to Apply
- The wood is illuminated by a soft glow
- Extremely grain-raising
- Retouching is easy and durable.
The Not So Good
- The pack is smaller than that of its competitors
7. Best for Antique Rifles - Minwax Antique Oil
- Minwax Antique oil finish can be applied to both finished and unfinished wooden surfaces
- For interior wood surfaces, such as cabinets and tables, panels, doors, trim, etc., Antique Oil Finish can be used.
- Work by penetrating wood
Let’s move on to the product that dries fastest. Minwax Antique Oil can be used on any wood that needs a penetrating protective finish. The oil penetrates the wood and dries to a durable, hard finish in 5 to 10 minutes.
This oil is not only the best for finishing gun stocks but also antique furniture, wood kitchen tables and tabletops. It is also the best for cabinets, cabinets doors, or any other wooden surfaces where a natural feeling is desired over a plastic one.
Although the manufacturer suggests using just 2 or 3 coats of gun stock finish, I’d like to apply more.
This antique oil can be applied with my hand, just like gun stock varnish. It can also be used on unfinished and finished wood. The sheen that I get from applying this oil is something I really enjoy.
You can also use a soft cloth to remove any excess.
This product is easy to clean, durable and resistant to stains.
The Good
- Easy to Apply
- Maintainable
- Best gun stock stain
- This product can be used to finish and unfinished firearm stocks
- This product can be used to treat a variety of wooden furniture and tools
The Not So Good
- Raising the grain of wood
- The weather protection is not adequate
How to choose gun stock finishes
How can you choose the best finish for your gun stock when there are so many choices? In order of importance, here are some things to think about:
1. Type of Finish
We’ll talk about three types of wood finishes that are particularly effective on gun stocks.
- Oil is the most common finish on gun stocks. It can be easily applied and gives a natural feeling. The product is available in small jars, as a little goes a very long way. This oil could be made of linseed or tung oils, among others.
- Polyurethane has a thicker finish that sits on the surface of the wood rather than penetrating it. This is the water-proofest option but it can make the rifle feel like a plastic pile. It could be an oil or water-based finish.
- This finish provides a weatherproof, water-resistant surface to the wood. It is easy to apply furniture or wood wax. Wax can be applied to an oil finish. It is reapplied whenever necessary. These products are made from carnauba or beeswax.
Oil or wax is the only product that I would recommend for a gun finish. Polyurethane is not included because it has a plastic-like feel that many users find unpleasant. Once again, I don’t recommend using wax over poly.
2. The color of the gunstock finish
Next, you should consider the color of your stock. If you don’t want to change the finish on your gun, pick a color that will highlight the grain of wood. Consider that some finishes will yellow with time.
All the finishes I have listed can be used on different wood colors. You can wipe away excess stain before it dries if your gun stock appears too dark after applying any of the finishes.
3. Durability
What good is a finish which doesn’t hold up? The finish must last at least one year without peeling, cracking or clouding.
You shouldn’t need to clean your guns every month, even if you are mentally ready to do it.
4. Application Method
You can apply an oil finish in several ways: with a cloth, a brush, sprayed or your fingertips. The traditional way to apply an oil finish is by using your fingertips.
For polyurethane, you will need a brush and a cloth. You can feel any imperfections, such as dents in the stock or grain raises, by applying with your fingers.
5. Drying time
If you are in a rush, the drying and curing time is important. The drying time indicates how quickly you can add a second coating, while the curing is the time it takes to cure the gun stock.
6. Size of the Product
Oil finishes are sold in lower quantities than wax. Oil finishes can cover the same amount of stock as wax and sometimes more.
Consider the size and price of each product to determine which is more cost-effective.
Extras
Some of the products on our list include additional items to help you with your knife or gun. Some of these products can be used for other products. Why not kill two birds at once?
How to Refinish Gun Stocks?
If you don’t take these steps, your rifle’s wooden stock will look dreadful.
1. Look for damage
You should first look for signs of damage. If the damage is too severe, restoration will not be enough. You’ll need to replace it.
If it is in good condition, then you can proceed.
2. Remove the old finish
Remove the old finish using a finish remover and the rifle stock. Rubber gloves and a dust mask are required during the process. Mineral spirits can be used to “wet the surface”.
3. Use an abrasive pad
You may need to use a scrubber pad when the finish remover does not work or steel wool will only rip out the grains.
4. Scrub With a toothbrush
Brush off any remaining grime or grease with a toothbrush. Scrub in the direction of the checkering groove to avoid scratches.
5. Apply Heat
Then, using a hairdryer, remove any excess oil from the stock. Place the hairdryer in one place. After that, wipe it off with a clean dry cloth.
6. Sand
Sand the stock when it is completely dry. Cover this area to prevent accidental sanding.
7. Scrub it, burnish it and dust it
Use a fine-mesh scrubbing cloth to scrub the wood, and then a dry cloth for wiping it down. Here’s on how to burnish wooden.
9. Fill up the grain with
Fill in the grains with French Red and you will get a lovely look.
9. Let excess filler dry
After the wood has dried, you can remove the excess filler for deep hole.
10. Use a finish
Use linseed to refinish the gun stock for a classic look that will last a long time.
Want to read more articles? Read: What To Do With Your Old Furniture
How to Repair Scratches on Old Gun Stocks
Scratches on your gun can make it look ugly. There are several things you can try to remove scratches.
- Wet a piece of paper towel with vinegar and wipe it over the stock several times
- It may take some time for the paint to dry completely
- Grab some G96 high-speed linseed lubricant and wet a soft cloth.
- This cloth should be rubbed gently in circular motions on the stock to fill any minor scratches.
- Continue rubbing the areas with scratches after adding more oil to the cloth.
- Repeat the process after the oil has built up for a few minutes. The scratches will disappear in 2-3 applications.
- The next morning, remove any excess oil that you may see on the stock.
FAQs on Gunstock Refinishing
What is the best way to finish a gunstock?
An oil finish is the best finish to use on a firearm stock. The oil finish is durable and easy to apply. It can be applied on both finished and unfinished wooden surfaces. Oil finishes are also waterproof, protect wood from UV damage, and last for several years.
Can polyurethane be used on gun stocks?
You can use polyurethane for the gun stock. Many gun owners don’t enjoy the feeling of polyurethane in the gun stock. Polyurethane is plastic-like and sits on the wood rather than penetrating into it. This makes the rifle more difficult to grip. Polyurethane is ideal for tabletops.
Tru Oil Gun – What’s in it and is this the best oil to use for Walnut Gun Stocks?
Tru oil is a mixture made from linseed, mineral paint thinners, and oil varnish. The secret of how the main ingredients and other additives get mixed together is well guarded. Tru oil may contain tung oil.
Tung Oil is good for gun stock?
Tung oil can be used to protect gun stocks because it is weather-resistant, durable, and penetrates wood grain. Tung oil is a non-toxic, natural product. You don’t need to worry about VOCs.
Does boiled Linseed Oil work well for gun stocks made of wood?
For those who want to finish their wooden gun stocks themselves, boiled linseed is a great alternative. Hand rubbing into wood will provide a non-toxic, durable and waterproof finish. The boiled linseed is used to finish bare wood. In case you have poured too much boiled linseed, our guide will show you the best way to remove it from wood.
Why sand your surfaces between applications?
You can eliminate bubbles, runs and other imperfections by sanding between Tru-Oil coatings. When they see any runs, specialists use 400-grit paper. Other times, they use 0000 steel-wool.
What is the best finish for gun stocks?
It can be difficult to choose the best way to finish a wood gun stock. You can’t summarize it all unless you have a guide.
Birchwood Casey Complete Gun Finish Kit is the best finish to use for maintaining rifle stocks. It comes with extras to blue, clean, and stain rifles.
What more could you ask for?
