Tung Oil

[Specks]

This Thread (http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=554277) on refinishing an M1 Carbine got me thinking about using Tung Oil on the SKS stock I'm refinishing.

I've used the low heat method to sweat the cosmo out of it and cleaned it up with mineral spirits. I'd like to stain it a bit darker (it kind of looks orange to me) and plan on using Minwax Gel Stain, either chestnut or mahogany color.

http://www.brianandmandy.bealerfamily.org/images/gt/sks-stock-1.JPG


Then comes the tung oil. I've read a couple places that describe how to refinish a stock: Here (http://riflestocks.tripod.com/refinish.html) and Here (http://www.jouster.com/Bulletin/refinishing.htm)

Is Minwax's or Formby's Tung Oil Finish a true tung oil or does it have other things in it? Should I use either of these or look for something that is 100% tung oil?

[goblue]

I went to a wood refinishing store and bought their brand of pure 100% tung. Then I cut it down with some mineral spirits.

[Bushbacker]

Originally posted by Specks
[BIs Minwax's or Formby's Tung Oil Finish a true tung oil or does it have other things in it? Should I use either of these or look for something that is 100% tung oil? [/B]

Most products advertised as Tung Oil have other ingredients and dryers in them. Pure Tung Oil is pretty hard to find.

I've followed the C&R Rifle Stock Cleaning and Preservation forum for awhile. There are some very knowledgeable folks there. The moderator is "Cabinetman". He recommends Behr Tung Oil Finish. I've used it and it works very well.

Some Home Depots carry it, others don't. I had to call Behr and order it. Believe it was $10 for a quart including Fedex Ground shipping.

Here are some useful threads from the forum. You might need to register to see them:

http://p102.ezboard.com/fparallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforumsfrm34.showMessage?topicID=1852.topic

http://p102.ezboard.com/fparallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforumsfrm34.showMessage?topicID=1355.topic

Here is what the Behr looks like:

http://www.behr.com/behrx/act/view/products_detail?prodGroupId=47&catName=Specialty&catId=22

[jack19512]

It is my understanding Formby's Tung Oil is not a true tung oil. None the less it does make a good finish. Here are my two K31's that I used the Formby's finish on.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a63/jack19512/K31s-1.jpg

[RepairMan]

I bought my 100% Tung oil mail order from these folks.

http://www.realmilkpaint.com/oil.html

They sent it out the same day.

I used it to clean/condition my M1 Garand stock.

[Specks]

Bushbacker: That site has a ton of information. I've bookmarked it and will be referring to it often. Thanks :)

Jack: Those K31's look really good.

I went searching for the Behr Tung Oil Finish at the Home Depot here. Only thing I found was Minwax Tung Oil Finish. There is a small woodworking shop on Main street I visited and they didn't have anything. I finally found a pint of Old Masters 100% Tung Oil at a local paint shop for $11. I can't wait to see how this stuff works and how the stock turns out.

[Bushbacker]

It is a good site. They preach the proper methods of stock restoration, a minimalist approach with finishes that duplicate or approximate the original finishes and not crazy things like using oven cleaner or putting the stock in the dishwasher.

I typically smooth a surplus rifle stock with 0000 steel wool, get out all the old oil, dirt, gunk with laquer thinner, more smoothing and then a number of coats of Behr's Tung Oil finish.

[Jerimy]

You can get PTO (pure tung oil) from brownell's

[Rick O'Shay]

I bought a quart from realmilkpaint, and have used it on a dozen or so rifle stocks. There's enough left to last me the rest of my life, I'm pretty sure. A little goes a long way.

Just be patient with it, since it dries kinda slow. Worth the wait, though.