Lyman GPR factory finish...add Tru-Oil?

[zneufeld]

Hi all,

I have a new Lyman GPR (the factory finished, not the kit). I'm a newbie.

The stain and oil on the stock looks fine, and the manual says "the stock has been stained with oil leaving a dull finish. As with all oil finished stocks, rubbing in additional thin coats of oil (Linseed or Tru-Oil) will further enhance the finish and protect the stock."

I know there are plenty of threads and videos out there showing how to finish a stock, so I'm not necessarily asking for a tutorial. I'm just new to this, and not sure what step I should begin with since the stock is already stained and finished.

I have some Tru-Oil, and the instructions have 5 steps:
1) Remove old finish
2) Sand with the grain to remove scratches
3) Apply oil with fingers or a cloth and allow to dry for 2 hours
4) Buff lightly with 00 steel wool
5) Repeat steps 3 and 4 as desired

Since the stock is factory finished, should I begin on step 3? Or do I need to sand first?

Apologies if this has already been answered in a previous thread. I did a search and found several different opinions (which is probably what I'll get in response to this, too!)

 

[Phil Coffins]

Step one for you is remove all the metal parts. Then go to step three.

 

[gabedard]

I’ve always have waited 12/24 hrs between coats

 

[tenngun]

On an already finished stock that’s in oil you may want to add just light repeated coats.
I keep several bot talks of the ‘original oil finish’ from track of the Wolf. I find it the same or near same as the old Wakegon bay tru-coat.
A few drops on your finger rubbed in and then buffed.
I don’t like to handle the tru-coat as it gets so sticky on a bare hand.
You can add as needed, once a day for a week then once a week, but on finished I oil about one extra every couple of months and when done cleaning after shooting.

 

[zneufeld]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. And thanks, Phil, for the reminder to remove the metal parts! I probably would have found myself with oil on my hands halfway down the stock when I remembered that.

 

[user 48679]

And don't use 00 steel wool - it's too coarse.

The best results come from using 0000 steel wool.

 

[Bledfor Days]

Post a picture of your results. I have a GPR on the way and will probably do the same.

 

[MIOutdoorsman]

Following this thread. My GPR is a few years old, and still looks as dull as when I first got it. Maybe I’ll spruce it up too?

 

[Nameless Hunter]

The stain on my GPR seemed dark and muddy to me when I first got it, so I took it down a bit with some alcohol then finished it with a mix of tung oil and Tru-Oil. I'm planning on "improving" the stock contour this winter, and will refinish with a mix of tung oil and mineral spirits.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I use Tru Oil on bows and gunstocks, I put a few drops on a piece of tee shirt about the size of a large gun cleaning patch and wipe down the stock with a light coat. In warm weather you can recoat in a couple of hours, less if you put your stock out in the sun to dry. If the stock doesn't feel tacky you are good to go with another coat. I do use a walnut sealer first before I put Tru oil on a walnut stock, same process but sanding back to bare wood between coats.

If you haven't opened your tru oil yet here is a tip to keep it from setting up in the bottle; Don't take off the foil seal, just punch a small hole in it. You can still get plenty of Tru-oil out of the pin hole, store the bottle upside down and the finish will stay usable for a long time.

 

[bubba.50]

I use Tru Oil on bows and gunstocks, I put a few drops on a piece of tee shirt about the size of a large gun cleaning patch and wipe down the stock with a light coat. In warm weather you can recoat in a couple of hours, less if you put your stock out in the sun to dry. If the stock doesn't feel tacky you are good to go with another coat. I do use a walnut sealer first before I put Tru oil on a walnut stock, same process but sanding back to bare wood between coats.

If you haven't opened your tru oil yet here is a tip to keep it from setting up in the bottle; Don't take off the foil seal, just punch a small hole in it. You can still get plenty of Tru-oil out of the pin hole, store the bottle upside down and the finish will stay usable for a long time.

View attachment 51139

Never thoughht of the pin hole trick but l too store my true-oil upside down. Then if it does get a ‘skin’ on it, it’s on the bottom out of the way and you don’t get little chunks in your finish.

 

[zneufeld]

Thanks again for your helpful replies, everyone.

I did three coats of Tru-Oil with 0000 steel wool buffing between each. I waited between 12 and 24 hours between each coat, and then did a few small spots as a final step. To my eye, it looks great, and 100 times better than the factory finish.

I love the satin look that I've seen on some guns, so at some point I might try to figure that out (wax...?). But for now, I'm happy with the gloss from the Tru-Oil.

It's the busy season in my job (music), so I still haven't taken it out for a maiden voyage. I'll report back on my other GPR thread when I do!

Before:

After:

 

[Phil Coffins]

You done good.

 

[Winchester97]

Looks great! Much better than original

 

[Dale Lilly]

Thanks again for your helpful replies, everyone.

I did three coats of Tru-Oil with 0000 steel wool buffing between each. I waited between 12 and 24 hours between each coat, and then did a few small spots as a final step. To my eye, it looks great, and 100 times better than the factory finish.

I love the satin look that I've seen on some guns, so at some point I might try to figure that out (wax...?). But for now, I'm happy with the gloss from the Tru-Oil.

It's the busy season in my job (music), so I still haven't taken it out for a maiden voyage. I'll report back on my other GPR thread when I do!

Before:
View attachment 52536View attachment 52537

After:
View attachment 52538View attachment 52539

That is a great finish/improvement. Polecat

 

[rusty]

very nice finish

 

[Boomerang]

very nice finish

Not a bad start either.