Stock wax coats

[kswan]

Hello all.

I finally settled on briwax. The instruction say 2-3 coats. Is that right for a rifle?

Thank
Kelvin

[Dennis Glazener]

I found 2 to be plenty.
Dennis

[kswan]

Thanks very much for the reply.

Kelvin

[davec2]

Does anyone have an opinion about the difference between Briwax and Renaissance wax for stocks, metal, etc?

[Dennis Glazener]

I have both and prefer Renaissance Wax for antique stocks/leather etc and I use my Briwax on new stocks but only because it's a dark brown color, forget which one.
Dennis

[TommyG]

I like the Bri for wood as it doesn't leave any white residue in the carving.  I use Renaissance on the brass and other metal parts.

[sdilts]

The only thing I don't like about Briwax is that it will turn liquid in a hot shop in the summer.

[T*O*F]

I use Antiquax, both clear and dark brown, depending on the gun.

[moleeyes36]

I have both and prefer Renaissance Wax for antique stocks/leather etc and I use my Briwax on new stocks but only because it's a dark brown color, forget which one.
Dennis

Dennis,

If you're putting the dark brown Briwax on a stock that is stained a lighter color, how much does the Briwax darken the appearance?  Thanks.

Don Richards

[TommyG]

The only thing I don't like about Briwax is that it will turn liquid in a hot shop in the summer.

Yes it does.  I put it in the fridge(ziplock bag) for about 4 hrs before I'm going to use it

[flehto]

Please don't take umbrage w/ this question. but why is wax necessary if the stock is finished?....I've never used wax over a finish and a couple of my guns have been hunted hard  in all sorts of weather?.....Fred

[Dennis Glazener]

I have both and prefer Renaissance Wax for antique stocks/leather etc and I use my Briwax on new stocks but only because it's a dark brown color, forget which one.
Dennis

Dennis,

If you're putting the dark brown Briwax on a stock that is stained a lighter color, how much does the Briwax darken the appearance?  Thanks.

Don Richards

Don,
I have only used it on a couple of stocks that were already dark, one was walnut that I was trying to get darker and it didn't darken it much at all, to be honest I was a little disappointed. The other one was a really dark fowler that I antiqued and it seemed to help a fair amount.

I bought the Briwax after hearing, I believe it was Mike Brooks, talk about using it. I am currently reworking an older contemporary rifle with a maple stock that is real dark but lifeless. As soon as I finish converting it from percussion to flint I will work on the stock with the dark Briwax and if I don't forget I will show before and after photos. But remember I am slooow, don't get a lot of time to work on it.
Dennis

[davec2]

Fred,
I think you’re right, the wax really isn’t needed but after a day of shooting with my typically black powder grimy hands, the waxing does a nice job of cleaning all the surfaces of the barrel, stock, and bright work. The rifle (or pistol) just looks nice and clean .... and with a nice sheen when I put it away. Sort of like waxing a car...  not really a requirement but makes you feel like you’re doing a good job caring for a prized possession. 😉

[Darkhorse]

I use Johnson's Wax on all my wood because it keeps it looking good and adds a measure of protection.
About 20 years ago I was bedding a stock and was worried about all the fingerprints on the metal causing it to rust before I could get some oil on it. So I decided to wax it. Worked great, no rust. So that hunting season I only used wax on all my guns, had a lot of rain, but none of my guns showed any sign of rust at all. Now I wax all my guns. No oil on the surfaces anymore.
I wax under the barrel also, any water that gets under the barrel while cleaning doesn't cause any rust either.
When I come home from hunting I just take a soft cloth and rub down the barrel until all the fingerprints are gone and no rust.
No slick oil on my hands and no smell of oil.
I consider wax a necessity but it took a couple of years before I really trusted it.