Help regarding factory stock finish.......way too shiny.

[TFoley]

Evening all - [well, HERE it's 7:20 pm ] - I'm in need of some advice and assistment.

My newest Uberti rifle has a finish on its stock that makes a Steinway pianner look like a well-travelled mountain trail, and it's seriously detracting from my enjoyment of it every time I cuddle my poor scarred old face down on it.

Bearing in mind the cost of these things to begin with, what's the best way of reducing that unrealistic and unoriginal gleam to a finish that's somewhat less bowling-ball quality?

I know in my heart of hearts that it's likely to need the careful application of some kind of abrasive, but if that might be some kind of unguent/preparation/arcane substance like caribou claw paste, or 'Uncle Flarp's Patent kill-shine', please remember that I live in UK, not North America - there is nowhere like TOW, TRS or DGW here.

 

[Crows-R-US]

Brownell's or Midway or some similar entity used to sell a product called rottenstone to buff out some of the shine from factory finished guns.

 

[rchas]

my first suggestion would be a gentle rub with 0000 steel wool.

 

[The Appalachian]

000 3M synthetic steel wool. Buff it down gently and completely, then apply a wax like Axe Wax.

 

[Phil Coffins]

First remove the wood and all metal bits on it, then being careful to not round any corners or edges rub lightly with oooo steel wool. If you can find it gray Scotch Bright pads work as well or better. That will break the shine a more labor intensive way would be chemically strip the wood and stain to a color that suits you then varnish like Winchester did.

 

[TFoley]

Thanks to all for the advice. I guess it's dismantling time, eh?

I'll let you see the results.

 

[TobJohn]

Possibly dumb question, but if you want an extremely light abrasive, would magic eraser work?

 

[erhunter]

Pumice stone with boiled linseed oil and make a paste. Then put some on a soft cloth and rub until desired shine.

 

[dave_person]

Hi "T",
I would get messy! There are several very good ways and I've used them all at times. The connecting link, however, is lubrication (for yourself and the wood). Cheap hardware store linseed oil, boiled or otherwise works well. Then use an abrasive pad like The Appalachian suggests, rottenstone like Crows R Us suggests or 0000 steel wool like Phil suggests. For abrasive pads, I use maroon Scotch Bright pads. Pumice will also do the job but may be too aggressive. You are not trying to level the finish, just take some shine off it. Dip the pad, rubber (little piece of ensolite foam wrapped in a soft rag or cheese cloth for rottenstone), or steel wool in the oil (dip rubber also in rottenstone) and rub the stock with the grain. Don't try to go fast and preserve all the sharp corners. Then wipe the mess off the stock completely with rags or paper towels. Take care not to just throw the oil soaked rags or towels in the garbage because of fire hazard. Put them outside for a day or two or dump them in a utility sink and wet them down. Throw them in trash after a day or so. This will produce a mellow smooth finish and you usually can just put a light coat of wax on top and buff it.

dave

 

[Crows-R-US]

I know I mentioned the rottenstone but, for myself, I'd give it a good going over with a grey or even green scotchbrite then wipe on a few coats of Watco Danish Oil finish. Love that stuff. And if later on it gets kinda ratty looking just rub on another coat or two.

 

[TFoley]

Possibly dumb question, but if you want an extremely light abrasive, would magic eraser work?

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Good thinking........I'll try it on something that doesn't matter much, first.

 

[John May]

I've used some Birchwood Casey Stock Sheen and Conditioner in the past, it looks like Brasso only thinner and less abrasive?? I was happy with the results on, of all things, a Banjo pot that I refinished with Tru-oil. It was originally way too shiny for the period of Banjo but afterwards was okay. As I recall the Tru-oil and Conditioner were both in a Birchwood kit that I bought.

 

[TDM]

My Pedersoli Pennsylvania rifle had the same shiny finish. I went over it lightly with 400 grit SP and 0000 SW. Then applied several coats of BLO mixed with a little Gum Turpentine. Didn’t take long and turned out the way I wanted it too. It doesn’t take much to break that shine, light rubbing takes care of it.

 

[Eric Krewson]

If it were my stock I would put on a couple of coats of Tru-oil with a scotch bright pad, scrub in both coats and quickly wipe off the excess.

This is what you will end up with, 5 coats scrubbed in.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

Rottenstone, pumice and fine steel wool all work well, but you could also just wait a while and use the gun. Eventually the shine will dissipate with use.

 

[sdilts]

Got this tip from Bill Shipman at the CLA show - mix rottenstone with mineral oil and apply in a circular motion with a soft toothbrush. It works really well.

 

[sqqy14]

Rottenstone works great with an oil but be careful. You can actually cut through the finish.

 

[WolfPack]

Disassemble, 0000 steel wool, then go from there. It will knock the shine off and if you still don’t like it then strip it down and start over.

 

[david w]

I know I mentioned the rottenstone but, for myself, I'd give it a good going over with a grey or even green scotchbrite then wipe on a few coats of Watco Danish Oil finish. Love that stuff. And if later on it gets kinda ratty looking just rub on another coat or two.

I've had nothing but great results using Watco.