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Refinishing SKS stock

Rangerdavid
Hi... I need information on refinishing a russian sks stock. All information is needed as I have not done this before, so info from removing the existing to sanding and applying new finish, and what types of finishes are recommended.

i realize that this topic is very broad, so if anyone just has a link to a web page that has this info, that would be awesome also.

thanks everybody.....[8D]
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • rsnyder55
    Here is an SKS forum. Perhaps you can ask your question there also.

    http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php
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  • Horney toad
    I tried to finish an SKS once, a china one. The stock was made of some weird kind or reddish wood and would not take any stain whatsoever.
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  • swill
    I've refinished a few stocks with some pretty good results. The only one I was not happy with was a Russian SKS. The "after" was just as ugly as the "before. If it's anything like the cheap piece of lumber on mine it's probably not worth your time. Remember the lipstick on the pig thing?
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  • dav1965
    My kid refinished his last month it came out ok. Go to walmart or a lumber store and buy some paint stripper. He bought some in a spray can that worked very well. After that he sanded it very well. Then he picked a dark redish stain like cherry. Put 3 or 4 coats of stain on it. After that he sprayed on some polyurethane from a can. After it dries you need to get some steel wool i think the number on it is 000 the finer the better. Keep doing this untill it is glossy as you want. What ever you do dont get in a hurry. Also pick the stain that you like. With this wood dark stain seems the best.
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  • beantownshootah
    Basically, you take out the action, sand down the existing finish with coarse sandpaper (possibly stripping it with solvents first to help get it off), smooth out the wood with increasingly finer grades of sandpaper sanding WITH the grain, then refinish with the finish of your choice.

    Its a lot of work, but its not particularly complicated.

    On *just* finishes, there are so many available that pages could be written on that alone.

    You have to start off asking yourself what you want the gun to look like when its done, then work from there. Do you want it to look like a piece of furniture? Any color you want?

    You don't HAVE to "get creative", though you can, if you want to. (EG have you considered a black or camo finish?).

    If you want simple and "tried-and-true", Birchwood-Casey "Tru-oil" is an inexpensive oil-based finish designed specifically for gunstocks that is easy to use, and readily available at any gunshop or sporting goods store. It gives a very nice cosmetic result, and its each to "touch up" later, if necessary.
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  • Rangerdavid
    thanks guys, excellent advice and tips. I think I'll give her a go. It'll be a nice little project i think...

    thanks again!![:D]
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  • CS8161
    Good, when you get done and if it comes out the way you like, I will send you my Russkie SKS to refinish![:D][:D]
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  • b00mer
    duracoats009.jpg
    russianscopeon17hmr-1.jpg

    mausertrigger004.jpg
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  • gotstolefrom
    beantown's advice is best IMO.
    Use an oil type finish on a raw and smooth stock (aka hand rub oil).
    You may do some superfine sanding after the first oil coat dries, because some 'hairs' in the grain may be raised.

    Use a finish that "dries / hardens" , not an oil that stays wet forever, and let it cure before intermediate sanding and re-coating.

    It is without a doubt the easiest finish to 'repair' if you get a scratch or a gash...either way the fix is good.

    Take your time and ENJOY !!
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  • DENWA
    You might need to "Bake the stock" after you strip it down. this will help remove the oils and other b.s. in the wood.

    But just remember you can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear.
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