beeswax and linseed oil

[sghart3578]

Hello neighbors,

I am looking at a rifle that has a beeswax/linseed oil finish. I may to change to a darker finish. If I decide to tackle this what am I up against?

Thanks very much!

 

[wiscoaster]

I don't think you're up against anything unusual. What is the condition of the finish? Have you refinished a rifle stock before?

 

[wiscoaster]

If the existing finish is clean you might just make up your own beeswax/linseed oil and color it to your liking with dye.

 

[sghart3578]

Can I go over the existing beeswax/linseed oil or should I remove the old finish first?

Steve

 

[Flintandsteel]

definitely need to remove old finish first. Both wax and linseed will keep new stain from penetrating.

 

[wiscoaster]

definitely need to remove old finish first. Both wax and linseed will keep new stain from penetrating.

IF it's stain that you use to darken the color.

Steve, you don't need to remove the existing finish if the existing finish is clean and in good shape. Maybe just some very light abrasion to scuff the surface and give the overcoat something to grab hold of. You can darken the resulting color with what you overcoat it. Stain changes the color by soaking into the wood, so it doesn't work if there's a finish on it. Some other finish can be applied over existing finish if it's a compatible finish. EG oil over oil and wax over wax. And the result will be a darker color if the final finish is suitably colored itself. You can always make something darker, as you want to do, but you cannot make it lighter. That's why I suggested making your own wax and oil finish with dye to darken. You should know, though, that this kind of a finish does wear off and/or dry out and needs to be refreshed from time to time. I usually re-oil the milsurps in my collection about once every two years or so.

 

[wiscoaster]

Steve, I don't know how much you want to darken the color, but you can at least marginally darken a finish by just using some colored wax, such as brown shoe polish that I used here:
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/my-stock-finish-secret-weapon.168153/
And again, that's a finish that needs to be refreshed from time to time.

 

[sghart3578]

Thank you guys for all of your help and guidance. I appreciate it a lot.