AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: KRNL on May 12, 2025, 11:01:42 PM
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I have bought a Tennessee style rifle with maple stock.
It is a reddish color and by the looks of the internals of the stock it looks like it is colored with stain. Am I right?
Do I have to remove a lot of material if I'd like to sand this stain off and refinish it with iron nitrate?
(https://i.postimg.cc/VL6pLdfV/20250512-185707.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/WbjdCqvx/20250512-185712.jpg)
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Iron nitrate is going to get you a color similar to what you have now. That stock looks pretty to me. Answering your question about how much material will need to come off, much depends on how deep the original stain and finish have penetrated the grain. Yes someone has stained the barrel channel. Don’t worry about that. Good luck 🍀!
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I've had better results with cabinet scrapers. Sandpaper will quickly load up with finish. Here's a stock my dad put stain on and I used cabinet scrapers to take it off.
(https://i.ibb.co/0yyFD6VV/20200611-161039.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k229Hw66)
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Based on the pictures I would not remove the existing finish completely. Filling the grain is a lot of work, there is no need to destroy it.
The existing will impair the water based AF stain penetration.
I'd take a different approach. I'd rub it back with maroon scochbrite until I am down to the unstained wood for part of the grain. IF it is going to slow use solvent and the scochbrite. Mineral spirits and charcoal lighter work well for this. The figure has already soaked up the stain more in some places than others. This is a good thing. I'd then use a spirit stain-dye of whatever color you are looking for. The result will be the red in parts of the background and the new color over all. Done right it makes a 3D effect.
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What you're talking about with sanding or scraping is essentially rebuilding the rifle. Are you sure you want to do that?
Before you ruin the architecture of your gun glove up mask up and grab a rag and some acetone. Rub the finish and stain off. Acetone is hot so be careful with it but any hardware store will have it.
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Thank you guys!
Now I'm in trouble. Both the "leave it" and the "do it" side is strong :)
I was thinking about a little modification too. Reshaping the muzzle part or even adding a muzzle cap and that would put me to the refinishing side.
I think it is safe to try Acetone in the barrel channel. Just to see how it works.
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I've had better results with cabinet scrapers. Sandpaper will quickly load up with finish. Here's a stock my dad put stain on and I used cabinet scrapers to take it off.
(https://i.ibb.co/0yyFD6VV/20200611-161039.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k229Hw66)
Do you by chance have a picture of the refinished rifle?
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It looks like bare wood in the barrel channel, I woud do a test with aqufortis in the channel over the stain, blush it, add some finish and see how it comes out, you might like it.
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KRNL, here is a shot of the stock just after blushing with nitric acid and another with finish. It darkened a little with age.
(https://i.ibb.co/MDgrgPYG/20200620-170443.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hRgbg2PZ)
put upload (https://imgbb.com/)
(https://i.ibb.co/twMvJKdz/20200620-170436.jpg) (https://ibb.co/j9vQrfpz)
(https://i.ibb.co/N28tHsVb/20200623-140917.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KxMb3X0S)
(https://i.ibb.co/XfxJNHvX/20200623-141059.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KcxyRn36)
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It looks like bare wood in the barrel channel, I woud do a test with aqufortis in the channel over the stain, blush it, add some finish and see how it comes out, you might like it.
That's another great idea. Thanks a lot.
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KRNL, here is a shot of the stock just after blushing with nitric acid and another with finish. It darkened a little with age.
(https://i.ibb.co/MDgrgPYG/20200620-170443.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hRgbg2PZ)
put upload (https://imgbb.com/)
This looks awesome. I see no traces of the stain left. I really like this dark brown color. Looks antique.
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Colour looks good. That's a LONG cheekpiece.
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My dad wasn't a gun guy but wanted to build a rifle upon his retirement in 1978. We gave him the parts, books, and instructions and he did a fine job although messed up the top of the buttplate a little. He never finished it so I did the refinishing, browning, and final fitting of everything several years ago, years after he died. Outside of the buttplate problem it turned out OK. It is a great shooter and very accurate.....45 cal.
Daryl, I never noticed the cheekpiece but you are correct, it is long.
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I’ve done a few reclamations on contemporary items. But usually also for things that needed more attention than just a color change. As in the case of a gun - it would also benefit from some thinning and architectural improvements from a vintage 1970’s build (where possible). Or it’s a gun with really good wood and quality parts, but had a really bad stain color applied (ex Minwax golden oak comes to mind).😀 On the other hand, If it’s a simple change of color for the sake of applying AF stain….that would not be in the cost/benefit mix for me.
The color on the gun shown is pretty good. And no significant gains will be realized with removing it and going with AF. So unless it also needs some significant “enhancements”, I would probably pass on stripping, scraping, or over-staining it, etc. It would not be a project with enough upside for the time & effort invested.
I’ve tried to become wiser over the years about knowing when to hold them, versus when to fold them. And have left more “as is” in my later years (or sold them as is, or even passed on buying others). Repairs are a separate category. But back to my point - some “reclamations” of contemporary guns or accoutrements are definitely worthwhile. Others may be “possible”, but less “practical” (unless someone is doing it to gain experience and skill development). So not every 1970s-80s-90s gun should get a “refresh”. Some should, but most should stay and continue to be used as they are, (non-PC warts and all). One mans humble opinion. ✅
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So, my rifle has this flared nose with the rounded front and this rather weird cutout for pinching the ramrod.
That's why I thought I would reshape it or add a brass nosecap. All the hardware is brass on the rifle.
But if I reshape the front then I have to refinish the whole rifle.
(https://i.postimg.cc/YSYqfq5W/20250516-191815.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/XJWN26WD/20250516-191825.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/sXJjqHDf/20250516-191925.jpg)
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I see your point, it looks like someone made a rifle stock out of the upright of a ladder back rocking chair!
But you might be able to "feather in" the stain and finish if you just work on the nose.
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I see your point, it looks like someone made a rifle stock out of the upright of a ladder back rocking chair!
But you might be able to "feather in" the stain and finish if you just work on the nose.
Yes, something like that ;D
Maybe for first i should try only around the nose and if it doesn't work then go with the bigger task.