Need some help

[1nickatnite1]

So I bought an AK and I want to refinish the wood. I took off the furniture, soaked it in acetone and then a bleach mixture to remove the old finish. Problem is, the damn wood expanded and now it won't fit back into the rifle. I've been letting it dry for over a week but it still hasn't shrunk back to the original size.

Has anyone here had the same problem? How did you end up getting the pieces to fit? I'm hesitant on sanding it as it expanded quite a bit and I don't want it to shrink in the future and become loose.

TIA
Nick

[CK_32]

I've been told some guys put it in the oven at like super low temp.

Don't quote me hopefully someone can come along and confirm or deny or give another way.

[Thorax]

Umm, you soaked it ?!?
In a flammable liquid ?!?
You ruined the stock ?!?

It WILL warp in about 6 months when it finally dries out.
If you put it in the oven it will make a nice candle.

In the future use sandpaper.....and ONLY sandpaper, to strip a finish from wood.
No matter the claims on the product label, if it is liquid, it WILL warp the wood.

You cannot short cut hard work and elbow grease.
You can, however, go buy a new stock to replace the one you ruined.

[Metal God]

I don't know anything about AK furniture but I have been in construction for 25 years . I have done tons of refinish work and I have never soaked the wood in anything . Is that what is recommended for that . If so why and what professional wood refinishing guy said it ?

I use a thick paste stain remover/stripper . Brush it on thick only in the area you want to refinnish and let it sit for a bit . Times depends on how well it works . If it needs to sit for long periods of time just keep applying the stipper so it does not dry out . Then I remove as much of the stripper as possible by hand then scrub the wood down with liquor thinner and steel wool to remove the remaining finnish and srtipper . comes out great

Remember the inside wood that is not stained or finnished is not sealed . It will soak up anything it comes in contact with .

[Fritz265]

Should make a great patio torch!

[1nickatnite1]

well lesson learned I guess. Here's the video I was following:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfSwo9qBIWI

his results turned out amazing but somehow didnt work for me. I messaged the guy too to see if he's got an idea but oh wells, guess i got some new targets next time at the range.

[zfields]

Umm, you soaked it ?!?
In a flammable liquid ?!?
You ruined the stock ?!?

It WILL warp in about 6 months when it finally dries out.
If you put it in the oven it will make a nice candle.

In the future use sandpaper.....and ONLY sandpaper, to strip a finish from wood.
No matter the claims on the product label, if it is liquid, it WILL warp the wood.

You cannot short cut hard work and elbow grease.
You can, however, go buy a new stock to replace the one you ruined.

We use napatha to clean and remove finishes all the time on woods. Never had any issues when doing glue ups of any type.


Now, *soaking* might be a different story.

[Metal God]

Like I said I don't know AK stocks but I do know wood a little bit ( well that just sounds wrong ) . Is your stock laminate or solid wood . the stock in the video is laminate . A laminate stock will not soak up as much liquid as a solid wood stock will do to all the glues that hold all the different pieces of wood together . I would think there might be a chance it breaks down the glue if soaked to long .

[MrPlink]

Sand it down till it fits.
Easier to remove material than to add

[osis32]

I soaked my laminate no problem. Don't let these guys beat you down. I replaced mine for 922r purposes. If you can't get yours to fit you can have mine for $5 and shipping. You should be able to sand it to fit though. Noticed you're local. You cab also pick it up ftf if you'd like.

[1nickatnite1]

Thanks for the offer! I'm going to try sanding it first and see how it goes. Thanks again though.

[osis32]

No problem. Good luck bud.