How do you keep your rifle stock looking good?

[pilgrim]

     Although I have not shot in a few years,  I still like to clean the barrel, oil it and also polish the rifle stock.  I have been using Minwax,  Paste Finishing Wax on my rifle stocks.  My first rifle is a Lyman Great Plains Rifle, it looked so drab when I first bought it, 5 years ago.   But after a few polishes of using the paste wax,  it Shined.  I like a shiny stock,  others  may not,  but I want to see the beauty of the wood and paste wax brings out that beauty.  Otherwise we may as well paint the stocks a flat black and have them look like a synthetic stock,     The wax does make the stock a bit slick,  but if and when I do go to shoot,  any moisture should run off and not penetrate into the wood.  I usually clean and polish all rifles every  3 months or whenever I feel the need to caress them.   I also use it on the 2 rifles that have what looks like an  factory Polyurethane finish.   One is a CVA  Hawken and the other is a Cabelas Hawken.  Both are percussion.  Since I only have 2 percussions and 2 flintlocks and figure to enjoy myself and spend some time fondling them and one day, hopefully I get the heck off my butt and shoot them.

       How do you care for your rifle stocks? 

[Patocazador]

Johnson's paste wax.

[hotfxr]

Any high end carnuba paste wax. For a quick clean up, a shot of Pledge (not lemon) keeps them looking sharp for a weekend or so.

[beowulf]

butchers bowling alley wax for the stock , just plain old 3 in 1 oil for lock and barrel ! used to use johnsons paste wax on my stocks , does a good job , but was given a full can of butchers wax , and have been using it , good hard shiny finish .

[Hanshi]

My stocks have been waxed with Johnson Paste Wax but it's been a while since it was done.  I wipe off the stocks with a silicone cloth while using it on the metal as well.  Though challenged on this point more than a few times, I wipe the entire exterior with a cloth dampened with Type "F" transmission fluid.  It's mostly a liquid paraffin with no damaging oil.  If it damaged stocks in any way then mine would have shown damage 10 or 20 years ago; but they are still well sealed and waterproof.  Wiping with a plain dry cloth works fine in most instances.   

[pilgrim]

    The silicone cloth does work great. I bought 6 Hoppes Siilcone cloths a few years back and wipe down the stocks and barrels between waxing. 

   Have even planned to use the spent cloths as a patch material.    They measure .018" thick and should work,  maybe?

[Red Badger]

I don't know about using the silicon cloth as a patch but I don't see any issue right now... have not applied flame to mine but have cut one into four squares and they don't unravel....

As for my rifles I use vegetable oil (sweet oil) on everything about once every 3 months when in storage.  or right after a shoot.  of course I have to sneak the oil out of the kitchen when Bulldog Lady isn't looking.... 

[Hanshi]

Gotta fess up and say that my rifles do look truly good as long as I'm not standing beside them. 

[Patocazador]

They should look much better with you beside them. Something's wrong. 

This is your portrait, right? 

[pilgrim]

They should look much better with you beside them. Something's wrong. 

This is your portrait, right? 

                           

[Hanshi]

Ahem!  I'm just so photogenic that I always seem to eclipse whatever I'm near. 

[Hawken50]

   I tend to use Ballistol for everything...simple since i shoot a lot of military surplus guns as well. Works very well,,,,,except Lady Hawken says it makes the gun room smell like dirty feet....

[Dogshirt]

I use two products. One is Howards Feed and wax. Makes the stock look good and has a nice orange smell.
The other is something I just found called Kramer's Best Antique Improver. I used it on a 1948 Remington 721
that had been well used through the years and it REALLY did wonders for the finish. It is supposed to penetrate
most finishes except the newer "plastic" type finishes.It is a bit expensive, about $20 for a 8oz bottle, but the results
are excellent. It's aroma is more like turpintine, but I don't mind it. Maggie on the other hand thinks it stinks.

[pilgrim]

     I wonder if Kramer's Best Antique  Improver would work on Hanshi if he was to  use it Buff himself.  Then maybe he would have a newer avitar,  A younger looking Hanshi.  May even work on others.  Lord knows I could stand some antique improver.

[hotfxr]

I've been rethinking this topic and I have decided (by unanimous decision) that any firearm I hold in my hands is going to look fantastic just by the close proximity to my ruggedly handsome self!     



Let's test this out, everyone on this forum send me your favorite rifle and I will have a picture taken while I am holding it and post the pictures online so all y'all can judge for yourselves. Your firearms can be picked up at my house after the mandatory 90 day waiting period.