Putting wood finish on kit, browning...?

[jderrick]

Hello, finishing up my first kit, A Tradtions Kentucky flintlock rifle. I've read some of the other posts and figure I can't go too far wrong with Laurel Mountain Forge browning on the barrel. For the stock, someone had recommended tung oil. Any other input? Thoughts on where I can get this stuff -- can I just go to Lowes for some Linseed oil or what?

 

[gmww]

Laurel Mountain Forge antique stain. Pick your color. Track of the Wolf sells them with descriptions on how they look on various woods. I used the Cherry stain for my gun and love it. Follow up that with Birchwood Casey tru-oil. Put the oil on by and and rub it in. Messy but after 5-6 coats you'll just love it.

 

[Swampman]

I really like Dangler's Stock Stain, Dark Brown. Min-Wax Satin Tung Oil is really hard to beat. I've seen it at Lowe's or Home Depot.

 

[George F.]

Hi John, You can get linseed oil from any hardware store. There's two types, boiled and plain. I have used both, I didn't notice any plus's or minus's. As for tung oil, which I haven't used, has the effect of diffusing light, basically an oil finish will give you finish that has a depth appearence,and a wet appearance. Where as the tung oil will give you a more or less semi-gloss to a flat appearence. The linseed finish is very forgiving with dents, they will not "whiten" when dented as a varnish will, however the oil finish is not water proof, at best it's water resistant. I beleive the tung oil has better water resistant properties, but I think it will whiten with the dents.The tung oil also can be purchased at a local hardware store.Now as for the Laurel Mtn. products, they have stains, sealers, finishes,and barrel browning agents, you can acquire them through MUZZLELOADERS BUILDERS SUPPLY 479-292-8866, 9am-5pm central... they are in Ark.
Hope I helped...........George F.

 

[boar]

Jderrick I did my first one TC Hawkin in 1982 With Linseed oil cut with white gas ( Amoco )it is still good . Can't get white gas here any more, you probly could use Spirits of turptine ?I Made up the Vinegar And rusty barb wire it Has been working 4 months I have useing it on my hawk handles, makes them dark.Put wire in 3lb Flogers plastic container, cover with vinegar. I am going to do a gun with. it. Stain it ,then oil with linspeed. There were posts on here about it, Thats where I Learned About it. Dilly

 

[Swampman]

I wouldn't use modern boiled linseed oil from the hardware store. It's not anything like what our forefathers used. The dryers that they used to put in it are very toxic and you can't really get them anymore. I have used mixtures of linseed and tung oil. At least they dry in something less than one year. Sunlight is the key to getting linseed to dry.

 

[jderrick]

What would folks have used 100s of years ago? Is there anything available on commercially that approximates it?

 

[Swampman]

http://www.firelocks.com/page20.html

 

[jderrick]

Muchos Gracias, I think I'll have a go at it - John

 

[CrackStock]

Read Staining and Finishing For Muzzleloading Gun Builders -- Methods and Materials from 1750 to 1850 by William Knight and William Meade

CS

 

[Peter B]

I have used nothing but plane linseed oil on every rifle I have built. My way of doing things is to pour a small amount into your hand and start rubbing it in. You will feel a warmth in your hands and when it gets a little to warm stop. Let it dry over night and do it again in the morning. Stop let it dry and come back with million O steel wool. The do the procedure over again (after cleaning real good) I get around 5 coats on there. This comes from when I was a firefighter and we used linseed oil on all of our wood tools back in the old days.