Stock coming in too dark

mrfritz44 · Nov 17, 2024

I just applied my first coat of Jim Chambers oil finish over an Aquafortis curly maple stock. The color is too dark to my liking and I was wondering if it'll be too late to try to lighten the stock after the first coat dries after 24 hours?

Also looking for suggestions on how I may be able to lighten the stock besides a good rubbing down with Scotchbrite?

westrayer · Nov 17, 2024

I would think that you would need to remove the stain. Alcohol maybe? How about calling Brownel's and asking one of their Techs? Same for Chambers.
Just me, but I like it.

wiscoaster · Nov 17, 2024

I like it as is, too, but if the alcohol suggested above doesn't do enough for you, try acetone.

mrfritz44 · Nov 17, 2024

I wasn't clear that I just want to do something to increase the contrast of the curl with the existing stain. The stock actually showed better curl without the oil coat and now the browns and blacks are too close in tone in my opinion.

I was hoping for more of an orange tone.

reddogge · Nov 17, 2024

With the addition of oil over the aqua fortis, I think your only solution is a good vigorous scrubbing with scotch brite.

Roger Blevins · Nov 17, 2024

reddogge said:
With the addition of oil over the aqua fortis, I think your only solution is a good vigorous scrubbing with scotch brite.

Hit it again with more oil & watch it pop. I think it is beauteous as is. You can lighten it by applying your finish with oil free 0000 steel wool. What you're seeing is the nearly naked stain. Additional finish equals increased depth & contrast AKA "pop"@

TRow · Nov 17, 2024

Nice!

M. De Land · Monday at 2:52 AM

mrfritz44 said:
I just applied my first coat of Jim Chambers oil finish over an Aquafortis curly maple stock. The color is too dark to my liking and I was wondering if it'll be too late to try to lighten the stock after the first coat dries after 24 hours?

Also looking for suggestions on how I may be able to lighten the stock besides a good rubbing down with Scotchbrite?

I never cared for the dark look Aqua-Fortis makes and much prefer the lightening redish highlights French Red stain from Brownell's makes.

Siringo · Monday at 9:00 AM

mrfritz44 said:
I just applied my first coat of Jim Chambers oil finish over an Aquafortis curly maple stock. The color is too dark to my liking and I was wondering if it'll be too late to try to lighten the stock after the first coat dries after 24 hours?

Also looking for suggestions on how I may be able to lighten the stock besides a good rubbing down with Scotchbrite?

My first go at aquafortis on a maple stock did this. Mostly because I put on two coats for the stain to cover up smudges of inletting black. I left it and it’s Ok. Others I have built since then I only put one coat on.

mrfritz44 · Monday at 9:24 AM

Thanks all for the advice so far. My optimism is higher today than it was yesterday after using a combination of 0000 steel wool, gray ScotchBrite, and 1500 grain wet/dry sandpaper to lighten the stock a decent amount. I'm getting more of the fiery flame effect I was going for now. I did put two coats of AQ on the stock and regret doing that now. Here it is after sanding, but before the 2nd coat of Jim Chambers oil finish. Any advice before I move forward on how I may be to add more hints of orange to the stock?

Hatman/2nd line · Monday at 10:40 AM

M. De Land said:
I never cared for the dark look Aqua-Fortis makes and much prefer the lightening redish highlights French Red stain from Brownell's makes.

Nice work with the barrel keys.

olskool · Monday at 2:57 PM

A stock will always lighten up a few days after the stain. If you apply something like chambers, original oil on top, it will brighten it right up.

hanshi · Monday at 3:04 PM

I like dark but like curl even more. I have a gun that came dark and hides the curl too well. But I'm lazy and will just leave it. A modest amount of curl wants to pop out but not enough to make the effort worthwhile.

This is what I like and strive for:

mrfritz44 · Monday at 3:59 PM

Well the 2nd coat of oil is on and we'll see how it buffs out.

reddogge · Tuesday at 11:10 AM

You may have tried some yellow aniline dye over it to give it some orangish tint.

M. De Land · Tuesday at 2:14 PM

hanshi said:
I like dark but like curl even more. I have a gun that came dark and hides the curl too well. But I'm lazy and will just leave it. A modest amount of curl wants to pop out but not enough to make the effort worthwhile.

This is what I like and strive for:

You might want to give French Red from Brownell's a try it will really make the tiger stripe pop for you without looking Gawdy. I finish over the stain with rubbed out Birchwood Casey "True Oil" until pours are filled and satin finish then seal with Renaissance Wax. Seals em up good for inclimate weather.

Harry Marinakis · Friday at 3:21 PM

A wipe down with hydrogen peroxide will remove that aqua fortis stain right quick!

Stock coming in too dark

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