[Ickaber]

This will be the thread where I'll post about refinishing a Model 60 (with squirrels) that I bought to give to my daughter for her 14th birthday in December. I've had some discussion in the Model 60 thread, but wanted somewhere I can document the process while asking for the advice of those of you with much more experience in these things than myself.

So far, I've done the feedthroat upgrade (you can read about the issues and solutions at the link above), which solved all of the FTF issues that the gun had when I first got it. I've also installed the Mcarbo springs, which dropped my trigger pull to about 4.451 lbs. I've only shot Winchester Xpert HV and CCI Standard Velocity in it, but it shot both great.

So now it's time to get to refinishing the stock. Here's the gun as it looks today:

From what I've read so far, I'm leaning towards a finish of TruOil and I'll attempt to apply it with the ArmorAll trick, found over at RimfireCentral. Of course, I'll practice on scrap wood first. There are pages and pages of discussion on it, and I've read them all. When I get to this point, I'll post here and let you know how it goes for me (because if I can do it, anyone can).

What I'd really like now is to get input on some colored wood stain. I've found J.W. Etc. Craftsman's Blend Wood Stain & Sealer. I'm thinking I'd like to try the "Weathered Blue" color (see below), after removing both finish and stain from the stock.

Has anyone here ever used this before? Even if you haven't, since many of you here seem to be experienced woodworkers, do you see any issues with trying this stain with the TruOil over it?

All comments are welcome and appreciated. Don't be afraid to tell me it's a dumb idea or that I'm way off track, either. I'd rather have that than to ruin the stock or have to redo it in a year.

 

[SHOOTER13]

I like the weathered blue too...not too "in your face" bright.

Did you ask the birthday girl what her favorite color is ?

 

[Ickaber]

I like the weathered blue too...not too "in your face" bright.

Exactly; it gives a touch of color while remaining understated.

Did you ask the birthday girl what her favorite color is ?

Didn't need to....her favorite colors are blue and green. The greens seem way too bright. See? I pay attention.

 

[SHOOTER13]

Good job Dad !!

 

[Spud9]

Are the stains water based or oil? If oil you can thin out the color with paint thinner. If water, use water. Get some sample wood that is the same wood as the stock. Sand well apply the stain and then use one coat of what you will finish with to get a true sample. You can also apply the original stain sparingly, where the rag is just damp and you have to rub it in, which will give you a lighter application of color. OR.... apply then lightly sand after drying to thin out color. Remember to use one coat of finish for true samples. I think colors are kewl, and was planning on doing one of mine in color. Don't forget to "Bedazzle" it too....

 

[Ickaber]

Are the stains water based or oil?

Water-based.

Get some sample wood that is the same wood as the stock. Sand well apply the stain and then use one coat of what you will finish with to get a true sample.

Yeah, I'll definitely do some testing first.

I think colors are kewl, and was planning on doing one of mine in color. Don't forget to "Bedazzle" it too....

Agreed. I really like some of the colors used with the laminate stocks these days. I don't want to overdo it with this one though, and it's not really this daughters' personality anyway. But, I have another daughter who will get one just like this next June, assuming I can find another for a reasonable price, and her personality is definitely the brighter, bedazzled type.

I'm sure I'm not the only dad to have done this, but I used to call my girls "squirrels" when they were younger, which is one of the reasons this is the model I'm giving them for their first guns. As in, "G'night squirrels."

 

[Spud9]

That is awesome what you are doing. I redid mine to give to my son when he is old enough, he is 4.5 right now.... So in 6 months or so...hehe...

 

[tCan]

The greenstone might be a good one because of the green/blue favorite color thing. Also, cricket makes their youth rifles colorful for a reason. If they weren't popular with kids, they wouldn't sell. Just because you think it would be gaudy doesn't mean your kid won't love it.

You're keeping the original stock or are you doing the refinishing on that one? (Some people might not be too happy depending on the answer to that one...)

 

[Ickaber]

The plan is to finish the original stock. The good news is that as long as my daughter likes it, I don't care if anyone else is happy about it.

I really like what Storm did to his, converting to a blonde with some darker highlights. The background around the squirrels and leaves on the fore are my biggest concerns. I probably can't get the color out of those areas, so I have to see if they'll look okay with the blue coloring. If I don't think that will come out okay, I'll probably just do something either more traditional or like Storm's. (Did I mention I really like his?)

The stock as it sits today is not terrible, but definitely needs some touching up. So, I thought I'd make it fun for my daughter. And, she'll be 14 so isn't in really into gaudy anymore. As I mentioned previously, it's not really her personality. My next daughter would probably like the Midnight Blue or maybe.....just maybe....even the Limeade.

 

[Spud9]

Storm's is beautiful. You can get the stain out of the carvings, use steam and thick towel/rags to press hard into them and you can get it out. Again, Youtube has some good videos on getting the stain out. You can make the stripes over the squirrel in rainbow.

 

[R.Ph. 380]

Good luck on the Tru-Oil. I did my M1 Carbine and love the hand rubbed oil finish. Just makes it better when you realize you can do 3 to 4 coats a day instead of one every few days. Going to start on my Marlin 30-30 soon. May use some of that black to bring out the grain.

Bill

 

[tCan]

Well, if you're daughter isn't into everything looking like a lollipop anymore, the accented blonde stock has my vote. Looks really sharp and is a timeless look.

Also, if you have a wood burner, you could carefully burn the squirrels and leaves, that way, no matter what you go with it will show...

 

[Big Shrek]

Dunno if you saw my thread about doing my Wifey's Pink M60...
Tru-Oil has a tendancy towards Yellow/yellowish-brown...
Which on a Blue-stained stock may edge it towards Green/Greenish...

Due to the Red Duvet, got a bit of background coloration...I'll have to do these pics again...but you get the idea

Older pic...

Next for this rifle is a Cerakote treatment in Pink for the action housing & barrel...that should finish it

 

[Ickaber]

Dunno if you saw my thread about doing my Wifey's Pink M60...
Tru-Oil has a tendancy towards Yellow/yellowish-brown...
Which on a Blue-stained stock may edge it towards Green/Greenish...

That looks pretty cool (if you like pink).

I'll definitely have to test the Tru-Oil first to make sure it doesn't change the color too much then. It's a good thing I started this project early.

Depending on what I find with the Tru-Oil, what other options are there that provide a true clear finish? I know a gentleman that is a custom cabinet maker -- he does beautiful work -- and I was talking to him the other day about this project and he offered to let me bring it to his shop and he'll lacquer it for me. He's got the setup to do it right, and I've never seen him turn out something less than amazing.

So, what are the pros and cons of lacquer vs Tru-Oil?

 

[storm]

Thanks for the compliments on my rifle guys - I like the way the press checkering on mine is still dark brown "faux walnut" colored - it offsets the glowing "honey" color of the rest of the wood nicely - There's a lot of good advice here though, and I'm sure you'll figure it out Personally though I prefer Tung oil over Tru Oil, but it's just a personal preference.

Lacquer can't be touched up easily at home like Tru-oil or Tung Oil or even BLO can.