Sailormilan2 Posted September 2, 2020 Report Share Posted September 2, 2020 Just picked up a figured birch stock for one of my M14 rifles. I don't really need it, but it's got the potential to be really nice if finished right. I'm not a fan of really pale stocks, so I have to decide if I should dye it(birch doesn't stain well with oil based stains), or leave it be. Anyway, here's before cleaning and after cleaning pics. Nothing has been done except to clean it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FC Posted September 4, 2020 Report Share Posted September 4, 2020 Behlen water based stains work well. I don t think the flame will show that well if you go dark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzRednek Posted September 5, 2020 Report Share Posted September 5, 2020 Guess it’s my personal preference. I like it as is in the after picture. If it were mine I’d rub in linseed, leave it then touch it up every year or so with a light rub down with more linseed. In the early 70’s I rubbed linseed oil the same Im told as the US military did in a late 20 or early 30’s 03 Springfield stock. Now with about 40 years of aging it really looks good but keep in mind my 03 stock is walnut. With Birch as they say, your mileage may vary. Just my opinion, you won’t be satisfied until you do it your way. Just a suggestion, smooth out a small section in the barrel channel that can’t be seen when stock is installed. Stain the section then see how you like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailormilan2 Posted September 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 Here it is. 10 coats of hand rubbed pure Tung oil. Then sanded with 400 grit paper. Finally, one coat of hand rubbed Tung oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Hess Posted September 22, 2020 Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 That turned out nice. What did you use to clean it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailormilan2 Posted September 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 I applied CitriStriper twice. Scrubbed with a soft nylon bristle brush, and rinsed off with the hottest water my water heater could do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzRednek Posted September 23, 2020 Report Share Posted September 23, 2020 Great job that attests to your persistence and patience. It is my understanding, correct me if I’m wrong that beginning with the M-14 the US GI stocks were treated with something other than the linseed oil finish of earlier US rifle stocks. I didn’t have your patience and took the lazy man’s way on my US GI rifle stocks. I washed them with hot water and laundry detergent. After they dried I simply rubbed in linseed oil. My 10/09 dated 03 Springfield with a 1930’s stock and WW2 era replacement hand guard. Looks pretty good today. The clouding and age of the linseed oil finish gives it some OEM character. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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