Dried out wood stocks

[red_zr24x4]

I inherited 2 .22's and the wood stocks are pretty dry.
What's the best thing to use on them to help preserve ?

 

[snapping turtle]

That would depend on the finish. Poly became the standard in the 1960-1070's because of the sealing properties and the high gloss finish. Those should need nothing. See wax below.

Oil bases I have tung oiled or linseed oiled but those can and do darken the wood often. If the wood is dark already it will not hurt.

Wife had some Amish branded wood preserve formula that really brings out the grain. I have no idea what is in it. It was free to her and I used it. I think it contains a liquid version of below.

Mostly I have used plain old mother 05500 car wax. Seals protects and shines without change of the base finish. You can remove the wax easy enough also.

If the 22 are users and not collectors then anything goes from a total refinish to a good old rattle can spray paint job. I have a Marlin 22 mag bolt action that has become the winter weather rifle of choice after a white paint job head to toe for snowy days. I got that rifle for a song because it got paint dots on it from being in the area of a house repaint.

 

[red_zr24x4]

Not really the finish that dry. Heck I don't think there's much finish left, more the wood is dry

 

[jcj54]

If the wood appears to have no finish and they are 50 years old or older I would use tung oil applied sparingly, several coats worth. That will seal the wood and protect it.

 

[Slow Hand]

I’m a fan of boiled linseed oil It feeds and seals wood. I have a 1o47 Ithaca 37 20 ga that my son uses for bird hunting. We always hot it with a few coats of BLO right before and right after bird season.
Also, a good coat of Ballistol does good too.

 

[bcannon]

Not really the finish that dry. Heck I don't think there's much finish left, more the wood is dry

Renaissance Wax and Gun stock polish is what I use to touch up my stocks that show some drying out issues. If you get it on the checkered areas, use a soft toothbrush and it will buff it out nicely. Has work great for me.

I've haven't used it yet but a buddy suggested Kiwi Staining Wax (for shoes) will work great on stocks that have lost their entire finish. Have seen the end result and it really worked for him. Enhanced the color and grain nicely and put a very nice shine on it. There's a few colors to chose from.

 

[Chance]

If the wood appears to have no finish and they are 50 years old or older I would use tung oil applied sparingly, several coats worth. That will seal the wood and protect it.

Tung oil takes a long time to “dry” . Boiled linseed oil does not stay tacky for life. You can sand them clean and the apply Birchwood Casey True Oil. Has been my choice for several “restorations”.

 

[Chance]

I inherited 2 .22's and the wood stocks are pretty dry.
What's the best thing to use on them to help preserve ?

True oil finished old stock.

 

[Purdue1991]

If the wood appears to have no finish and they are 50 years old or older I would use tung oil applied sparingly, several coats worth. That will seal the wood and protect it.

I agree with the tung oil. I've used it on a couple of older military rifles with pretty good results. Multiple layers with buffing in between each layer.

 

[red_zr24x4]

Thanks for the replies
To update the thread, it appears most of it was just dried on dust and dirt. A good wipe down with a damp rag and some Murphy's and they look pretty good

 

[TJ Kackowski]

 

[red_zr24x4]

Next time I go down stairs!

 

[Psode27]

Big fan of BLO here. I slather that stuff on everything and I've never been upset. Ive also thinned it out a bit before and used it. I just used a splash of thinner.

 

[red_zr24x4]

Took a week or so but here they are

 

[mausermadness]

Another +1 to BLO and Tung Oil. BLO is my go to for working guns, Tung Oil for the more looker guns. Although BLO on a K98 stock that has been Russian captured and the shellac removed just looks gorgeous.