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Author Topic: Refinishing the wood on a vintage model 94 and have a few ?'s  (Read 816 times)

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Offline Silvertp

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Refinishing the wood on a vintage model 94 and have a few ?'s
« on: December 12, 2011, 11:04:32 AM »
What finish would best maintain the original look of a 40's model 94?

The bottom of the forearm and but stock have some deep denting, Ive tried some preliminary steaming and I don't think it will all come out.  Is there a recommended finish that can be used to fill in the dents that will minimize how noticeable they are?

One last ?  Ive thought about sealing the stock with Acra Glass.  What solvent is used to thin out AG?

Appreciate any help on this.

Silvertp
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Offline Greg B.

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Re: Refinishing the wood on a vintage model 94 and have a few ?'s
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2011, 01:32:23 PM »
I have a Model 64 carbine that is the same vintage as yours and was plagued with a similar problem. Mine had a chip out of the bottom of the stock about an inch long and a quarter inch deep. There was also some water damage where the butt plate fits up against the stock for about an eight inch that looked like old grey wood with no finish. It did not look nice and I ended up taking the stock to a professional that refinishes antiques and restores furniture damaged by moving companies. I asked him to restore and not refinish it. After about three weeks I got a call saying to come and pick it up. The bill was $220.00 about eight years ago. I was shocked when I saw it. You couldn't tell that the wood in the stock was ever damaged. The color of the new finish on the repair matched as did the grain of the wood. The joint was virtually invisible and the water damaged part looked like the distressed finish on new furniture made to look old. I feel good when paying for a job well done. Any way the point of this story is that you can probably fill the dents with a good quality tinted and thickened wood epoxy but unless you are skilled at that kind of work ........ I would take it to a competent professional, be specific about what you want and listen to his/her recomendations. My gun now looks like a well used but not damaged old deer rifle Good luck.
 
Greg B.
 
 
 
 
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Offline Silvertp

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Re: Refinishing the wood on a vintage model 94 and have a few ?'s
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2011, 02:19:53 PM »
Greg B... you really nailed what I am looking for, restoration rather than refinish.

Thanks for offering up some hope.   I expect the quality job that you received on your model 64 was due to large dose of skill / experience and materials.   

I am hoping to find the products and methods needed to give me my best opportunity for a restoration.  I'm willing to accept the results of my best efforts on this as I really enjoy tinkering with my firearms and view this project as a "learning experience". 

Bottom line, Ive got a sweet old firearm that spent a lot of time in a scabbard and banging around in the mountains.  I just want to spiff it up and make sure it is ready  for its next 100 years.

Silvertp




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Offline oneoldsap

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Re: Refinishing the wood on a vintage model 94 and have a few ?'s
« Reply #3 on: December 14, 2011, 07:21:00 AM »
               I'm surprised that your dents won't steam out ! You did remove the old finish before you attempted to remove the dents ? If you don't take it down to bare wood the grain won't raise , which is what removes the dents ! You can also raise the grain at the buttplate and sand out some or all of the water staining , without removing much wood .  If this is your first go at restoration , I'd advise practicing on some old junker stocks before you tackle your Winchester . Duplicating the stain is the tricky part . Brownells has one that's supposed to be a good match , but I haven't tried it so can't say either way . I'd be happy to provide what help I can , feel free to PM .
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Offline Rangr44

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Re: Refinishing the wood on a vintage model 94 and have a few ?'s
« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2011, 09:39:39 AM »
YMMV, but I would NEVER sand a stock I was refinishing/restoring, except in/to a repaired area. (I haven't done so for the last 15 years/20-odd stocks)
 
I would recommend first stripping of the old finish ( Formby's Furniture Refinisher).
 
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Offline oneoldsap

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Re: Refinishing the wood on a vintage model 94 and have a few ?'s
« Reply #5 on: December 19, 2011, 10:13:44 AM »
 Good luck with that Ranger44 !
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Refinishing the wood on a vintage model 94 and have a few ?'s
« Reply #6 on: December 19, 2011, 11:12:14 AM »
I never use sandpaper.  Min-Wax Satin Tung Oil Finish looks great.  Any refinish will hurt the value of the rifle.
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Offline Silvertp

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Re: Refinishing the wood on a vintage model 94 and have a few ?'s
« Reply #7 on: December 21, 2011, 06:21:18 AM »
I haven't used any sand paper on this one ... yet.  The finish on the but-stock was essentially all worn off, a result of lots of weathering while hanging out of a scabbard.  What remained came off easily with a light buffing of 0000 steel wool.  Ive been working on getting the oil that soaked into the tang area cleaned out.  Also replaced a chip that fell off when I removed the stock from the barreled action. 

The fore-end has fairly good finish, protected I suppose in the same scabbard.  I intend to try and mimic the fore-end finish as "original" for that vintage 94.  I'll probably pick up some of the Tung Oil and test / compare with boiled Linseed, and maybe True Oil.  All depends if I can find out what finish was originally used.

Silvertp
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Refinishing the wood on a vintage model 94 and have a few ?'s
« Reply #8 on: December 21, 2011, 06:27:09 AM »
I believe Winchester actually used varnish on that year model and the satin Tungoil Finish has that look.  Try to find the MinWax if you can.  The Formby's is cheaper, but I haven't had good luck with it.
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"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Refinishing the wood on a vintage model 94 and have a few ?'s
« Reply #9 on: December 21, 2011, 08:10:21 AM »
If you can get a copy of "double gun journal " or " shooting sportsman" in them you will find an add for products for just such work you wish to do.
If your stock is not to bad a good wipe down with old english scratch cover and polish works wonders.
 
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Refinishing the wood on a vintage model 94 and have a few ?'s
« Reply #10 on: December 21, 2011, 02:09:59 PM »
The Old English will rub off on your hands and clothes and will not accept an overcoat of sealer.  Ask me how I know.
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"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Refinishing the wood on a vintage model 94 and have a few ?'s
« Reply #11 on: December 22, 2011, 01:16:54 AM »
Quote from: Swampman on December 21, 2011, 02:09:59 PM
The Old English will rub off on your hands and clothes and will not accept an overcoat of sealer.  Ask me how I know.

If you allow it to dry then polish with a cloth per instruction it won't . As for over coat its not ment to be a base coat .
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