Tried and True Finishes

[Wolfeknives]

I am about to apply the finish on rhe first rifle I am working on, a Kibler SMR. I would like to try the Tried and True finish, but not sure which one to get. Which one do most of you use?

[bob in the woods]

I use the varnish oil for guns. I've used the others for furniture and like them, but they don't stand up to the outdoor use /conditions that a gun sees. 

[utseabee]

I use the varnish oil for guns. I've used the others for furniture and like them, but they don't stand up to the outdoor use /conditions that a gun sees.

I like the Varnish oil also. The one with bees wax got sticky on me. Not sure if it was me or the bees wax that caused the issue.

[Hunterdude]

I believe Varnish Oil (bottom photo) is the one Kibler recommend's as well.

[Wolfeknives]

Thank you all. The varnish oil it will be.

[Fly Navy]

I use the varnish oil also. I did try the oil & wax on one rifle and it came out ok, but I like the varnish oil a lot better. I do add between 25%-50% mineral sprits to it.

[smart dog]

Hi Wolfknives,
It is a good finish.  However, follow the directions on the can as closely as possible.  Particularly, don't put it on thickly and make sure you wipe off all excess oil before letting it dry.  Get it out of all the tight corners so no sticky build up occurs. Finally, I don't care how dry it feels do not add the next coat until the previous coat has dried 24 hours.  Maroon Scotch Bright pads substitute nicely for steel wool.

dave

[alacran]

I went to their website, and they only recommend this product for indoor use only.
Bob I know that the environment you use your guns in is more than harsh. Do you supplement your finish with wax, or is it adequate on its own?

[Wolfeknives]

Hi Wolfknives,
It is a good finish.  However, follow the directions on the can as closely as possible.  Particularly, don't put it on thickly and make sure you wipe off all excess oil before letting it dry.  Get it out of all the tight corners so no sticky build up occurs. Finally, I don't care how dry it feels do not add the next coat until the previous coat has dried 24 hours.  Maroon Scotch Bright pads substitute nicely for steel wool.

dave

Thank you Dave. I will follow your advise. I too went to their website, and like you, they stress the points you make. I purchased some of the maroon Scotch Brite yesterday, it was not easy to find in small town Canada. I have whiskered the stock three times, and am now really excited to see some results. It has been a lot of sanding trying to maintain crisp lines and corners.

[smart dog]

Hi,
This like other finishes labeled "interior" is because it does not contain UV blockers. True-Oil, Chamber's oil,  boiled linseed all, boiled linseeed oil varnish, polymerized tung oil, all original finishes etc, etc, etc, etc, do not contain UV blockers and would be labeled for "interior" use only.  If you intend to use your gun as part of your deck railing, I suppose you might want those UV blockers.

dave

[Jim Kibler]

I will add that sunlight helps immensely in the drying time.  One day with good sun might be equivalent to 5-6 days without.

Thanks
Jim

[smart dog]

Amen to that, Jim!

dave

[BJamesBeck]

I used the Linseed Oil & Beeswax T&T on this rifle. Have hunted two seasons with it now in rain and snow and have had no issues with it. Moisture seems to almost bead up on the wood surfaces and I just wipe it dry when I get home.

[BrianS]

Thank you for asking this question. I was puzzling my way through this product line yesterday.  Hours of research. How timely of you to ask and how dumb of me to be too shy to make my ignorance public (not that it's an ignorant question, but my 'ignorance': lack of knowledge of wood finishing products)! 

[bob in the woods]

I went to their website, and they only recommend this product for indoor use only.
Bob I know that the environment you use your guns in is more than harsh. Do you supplement your finish with wax, or is it adequate on its own?

I actually do wax my guns at the beginning of hunting season every year. 

[J. Talbert]

I will add that sunlight helps immensely in the drying time.  One day with good sun might be equivalent to 5-6 days without.

Thanks
Jim

Definitely coincides with my experience also.

Jeff

[Fly Navy]

Even when it feels dry, I find it doesn't hurt to give it an extra day or two to dry between coats.

[G Bekelja]

I have a plywood box that’s part of my workbench with 2 100 watt light bulbs and a low voltage computer fan at each end. One brings air in and one expels air so there is nice circulation and the light bulbs bring the box up to 100 degrees. No problem getting several coats of Tried and True on in a day and having them nicely dried. I keep the can of finish in the box too and you can really apply thin coats when the finish and the stock are that warm. Dust free too.

[Hatchet-Jack]

I used T&T Oil Varnish on my Kibler SMR. I like the look of the finish but as others have said use very thin coats and they have to be 100% dry before you apply the next. I found it to be very slow drying (3 - 4 days) between coats. I ended up creating a heat box by enclosing a west facing window with a couple of those silver emergency mylar blankets that come in the little package. I could get a coat to dry in 1 day. The Sunlight, heat and low humidity seemed to help. 

[Daryl]

I used the Linseed Oil & Beeswax T&T on this rifle. Have hunted two seasons with it now in rain and snow and have had no issues with it. Moisture seems to almost bead up on the wood surfaces and I just wipe it dry when I get home.

THAT is a nice, "pleasing" rifle.
Waxes certainly help most gun stock finishes in inclement weather.

[Not English]

Bob, like you, I do wax my guns as well. Although it usually tends to be after hunting season after everything's been thoroughly cleaned. There's no particular reason as to timing, it just seems to work out that way.

[dogcatcher]

Here is an interesting article about oil and wax finishes   https://blog.lostartpress.com/2021/04/26/linseed-oil-wax-comparing-three-brands/

[alacran]

Here is an interesting article about oil and wax finishes   https://blog.lostartpress.com/2021/04/26/linseed-oil-wax-comparing-three-brands/

What caught my eye was the author saying, " they don't offer much protection from life". He was referring to the three finishes he was reviewing.
Since the man is building furniture, what he builds stays inside. Not much of a recommendation to use the wax-oil finishes on rifles.

[Mule Brain]

Here is what Jim was using



I have used Laurel Mountain Forge permanlyn sealer and finish, and it's been great as well.

Nice hand rubbed finish