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Refinishing a SAI Boyds Walnut

2K views 5 replies 5 participants last post by  deiter 
#1 · (Edited)
This is the best before Pic I have, not the best quality picture.






I took the SAI Boyds gunstock, and just sanded it down with some 150grit by hand. I'm lazy, so I didn't bother using anything to strip or remove any of the existing stain, dye, or finish. It did slightly bring out the original color, but the dye is in deep.

I then used 220 grit, by hand, to smooth it out a bit. Without cleaning the saw dust off, I applied Boiled Linseed Oil, and rubbed the mash of dust and oil into the cracks as best as I could. I did this by hand, and rubbed the wood until heated rather well.

I let it dry 24 hours, then applied another coat, and wetsanded with the BLO, to keep filling in those cracks. It didn't really work out like I wanted, probably due to the 220 grit, but I was too lazy to go 5 minutes to the store for 400 and 4O steel wool.

After a few days of applying more BLO, without sanding, I went to the store and got some 400grit and 4O Steel. I lightly hit the finish with the steel, and did a couple of wet sands with the 400 grit, over a couple days time. This stock is very thirsty. All of the video's, and tutorials I have read, say to use very little BLO, but my stock just soaks it right up, and it dry's well before 24 hours, even after the most of a week. I still wait a full 24 hours, just in case, each time before a new coat.

Today, is officially 1 week from when I started, and I got the wood handguard in last night. I drenched it in BLO, and it soaked every bit of it up. I went to wipe off the excess, and there was only a hint of left over, that made it to the rag. Like each coat on the main stock, I hand rubbed in the BLO until very hot to the touch. I can REALLY see a difference after rubbing in. Today will the the last coat for the main stock, and then I'll add 1 more coat each week, for the month, then 1 coat each month for the year. For the handguard, I will probably only put a few coats on over the weekend, and then just keep with the same schedule as the main stock.

I am very happy with the results so far, Thanks to all those who have posted, and contributed information on the subject. I'll update later with some Action in Stock photo's.

*Always read the warning on Boiled Linseed Oil. Do not leave soaked rags wadded up in a pile. Possible Spontaneous Combustion.

-Joshua
 
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#3 ·
The stock was what came with the Springfield Armory M1A loaded. I ordered the Handguard from Fulton Armory, which they only offer an unfinished version. Both are stamped boyds on the inside. I was surprised the handguard finished the same color as the stock, as the stock was already finished, and the handugard is only BLO. And as I mentioned, I did not completely remove the existing finish on the stock. In hindsight, I could have just ordered the handguard direct from Boyds, which comes finished, in what I imagine is the same finish my SAI has. I did chose the "handpick for grain and color" option on fulton armory website, not sure if that made a difference or not.
 
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