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Pre-64 Win. Wood Finish

Hang-Fire1
I just got a Pre-64 Win. Lever action rifle. What can I do to keep the wood in good condition? I think the old girl was made in the 50's.

http://www.libertybelles.org
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  • gotstolefrom
    It pretty much boils down to what the previous owner did. You may want to remove the furniture and look at the 'hidden' surfaces to give some clues. When you re-finish or restore, you want to do it with the furniture off anyway....finish it 'inside and out'.

    Many older pieces were obviously oil finished. If there is not a tell-tale 'sealed surface' like a poly finish, and you can 'feel' the grain of the wood under your fingertips, then it most likely has an oil finish. There are many oil finish products, and most could be compatible with what has been put on there for years. The safest bet may be boiled linseed oil. It is not most folks favorite, but it rarely fails you. It never really 'dries', it just quits soaking in and you wipe off the excess. I may use it on some mil-surp pieces, but never on a fine or 'sporting' piece.

    If you tried to put a poly-like finish directly on something that was oiled for years, it probably would not stick. I generally do not like poly finishes, but some folks do. If you wanted to do that, you would have to draw out the oils first. What you would end up with may not look like what you have now...and could look like shcrap.

    A common middle ground are the hand rubbed oil base finishes that do 'dry' but don't look like a sprayed on poly. (Watco finish is one. Prep with 0000 wool, rub in Watco, wait, 'buff', repeat if desired). Other brands don't come to mind right not, but I'm sure you will get other responses.

    What ever road you choose, be sure you add plenty of time and patience. You will have to live with it for a long time and want to give it your best effort.

    Enjoy !
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  • 101AIRBORNE
    May wish to visit: www.winrest.com
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  • Hang-Fire1
    Thanks 101Airborne, great site and articles!

    No poly for me gotstolefrom;-)

    http://www.libertybelles.org
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