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General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Jim Curlee on February 16, 2011, 04:46:28 PM

Title: green stock
Post by: Jim Curlee on February 16, 2011, 04:46:28 PM

I picked up a rifle, it was built in 1999.
It's a decent gun, well made.
I want to refinish the stock, it has some cracks, dings, dents, etc. I need to fix the cracks, and will have to refinish the stock to cover up the repairs.
The stcok has a green cast to it, I'd like to change that.
According to, "The Gunsmith of Grenville County", this could be caused by using the chemical, chromic acid.
If I sand it down to bare wood, will I still have a problem with the stock turning green again?
What can I do to neutralize the acid.
Thanks
Jim

Title: Re: green stock
Post by: Lucky R A on February 16, 2011, 05:29:23 PM

    I have refinished a number of "green" stocks that had been originaly stained with a chromic acid solution.  I simply removed the old finish with a good paint remover, cleaned the stocks down and then restained w/ Laurel Mtn. stains in the usual way, and refinished---no problem after the fact.    Ron

Title: Re: green stock
Post by: California Kid on February 16, 2011, 08:58:28 PM

+1

Title: Re: green stock
Post by: Jim Curlee on February 17, 2011, 02:27:40 AM

Ron;
Thanks for the input.
Jim

Title: Re: green stock
Post by: Acer Saccharum on February 17, 2011, 02:58:34 AM

You'll never stop it from going green. Overstaining like Ron suggests is about the only way to do it.

I had a gun I'd thinned chromium trioxide down to make a nice honey colored stain. It stayed that color, at least in my mind, until I entered it into Dixon's Fair judgement day Fair. I got a yellow ribbon, thanking me for entering a gun, and the critique sheet that came with the gun said "gun too green". I was floored and broke out in a sweat of anger and disbelief. But sure enough, it was as green as the hills of Kennamoraugh by the Sea.

Don't use Chromium Trioxide!

Tom

Title: Re: green stock
Post by: Jim Curlee on February 19, 2011, 02:24:44 AM

Went over the stock with a mixture of 100 grit, and a little elbow grease, came out back to bare wood.
I'm happy with the results.
Jim

Title: Re: green stock
Post by: Daryl on February 19, 2011, 02:37:59 AM

Jim - you still might need a chemical remover to leach out the remaining 'stain' inside the wood - maybe not?

Title: Re: green stock
Post by: Jim Curlee on February 19, 2011, 03:29:53 AM

I've been sanding the stock for a few days, I noticed after the first day or two, that the stock started turning green again. Seemed to have evened out, we shall see, tomorrow.
Planning on dyeing it with brown leather dye, hopefully won't notice if any of the green leachs through.
Anybody ever bleach a stock?
Jim

Title: Re: green stock
Post by: Daryl on February 19, 2011, 09:46:44 PM

Jim- want to see if there's more green to come - put it in the Sun. The UV is what turns Chromium Trioxide finishes, green.  CT was the 'rage' back in the 70's - nice for a while.

Title: Re: green stock
Post by: Ron Brimer on February 25, 2011, 05:58:51 PM

 An old trick used by ROBERT WATTS a well known builder in the 70s 80s use baking soda water mix ,over stain with good alcohol stain
   Ron B

Title: Re: green stock
Post by: Pete G. on February 26, 2011, 03:43:50 AM

Might go to the boat supply store and try some teak brightener.

Title: Re: green stock
Post by: Jim Curlee on February 26, 2011, 04:06:10 AM

I ended up sanding the stock, alot.
Then I went over it with a leather dye, which I think is an alcohol stain.
The thing with the leather dye, is that it will rub out on the sharp edges.
I don't mind the look, better than green.
We will see if it turns green, as soon as spring gets here, and I can get outside.
Probably end up like woodland camo. LOL
Thanks for the help.
Jim