How to restore a M1 Garand stock

[usmcchet9296]

I have a M1 I got from Turners a long time ago
It has some offbrand reciever and from the looks of it Itallian parts
Im not too worried about having this rifle perfect but I would like to restore the stocks
what the best way to do that
strip the wood (what to use)
Sand it
Fill the dings (what to use)
How to re-finish
I looked on line but couldnt get anything definative

[30Cal]

I like to first wrap it in papertowels, stick it in a black trashbag and put it on the dashboard for a couple days. This will sweat out any grease, oil, etc still in there. Then I hit it with Formby's Furniture restorer (per instructions). This will give you a better look at what you've really got once it's cleaned up a little.

If you decide to go with a refinish, then I'll steam out dents, sand, whisker, stain with Chestnut Ridge and finish with Tung Oil.

It's important to let it dry out a couple days between steps. Culver's shooting page (www.jouster.com) has good articles on how to refinish stocks.

[Satex]

What I did was: take all the wood and put it in the dishwasher. This may be difficult for you depending on the size of your dishwasher. It is better for your health to make sure you do it while the wife is out shopping
When the stock comes out it will be blond. Give it a day to dry out completely. Start sanding with higher and higher grit sandpaper. Go all the way up to 300. As you do it, take a wet rag and after a sanding session wipe it down, and let it dry. This will cause whiskering. Successive sanding will remove the whiskers. At this point, go to the hardware store and find a finish you like. This really depends on if you want a glossy or matte finish. Whichever one you choose, coat, let dry for 24 hours and sand. Repeat once a day for about two weeks. You will be pleased with the results.
I would recommend against doing any fills, I just don't think it looks right, but to each his own.
One more note, after you run it through the dishwasher, run the dishwasher with an empty cycle. Or maybe throw in a plate so the wife won't get suspicious about you running an empty load.

[30Cal]

Give it a day to dry out completely.

I'd give it 5 at a minimum if not a full week. Everything takes longer to really dry than you'd think.

[anothergunnut]

You might want to post pictures of the stock so people would have a better idea of what you are up against. Keep in mind that you can get a new, sort of drop in stock from Boyds or CMP pretty cheap.

[usmcchet9296]

Thanks for the info gents
the stock really isnt in that bad shape (will post pictures this weekend)
No big dents or dings
Id rather not buy a new stock
somehow id feel better if I did it myself
I want a nice satin finish
as for finish should I use linseed oil or a commercial finish?

[30Cal]

Tung Oil was what they used for most of the M1 production. It's far better than linseed oil in all respects: faster drying, supeerior moisture barrier, won't get darker over time, won't smoke when it gets hot.

Pure tung oil is best--you'll need to get it from a woodworking store or order it. The minwax and other hardware store brands have varying amounts of varnish that will build gloss over time. You can knock it down with a synthetic steel wool pad though.

[NRAhighpowershooter]

Thanks for the info gents
the stock really isnt in that bad shape (will post pictures this weekend)
No big dents or dings
Id rather not buy a new stock
somehow id feel better if I did it myself
I want a nice satin finish
as for finish should I use linseed oil or a commercial finish?

I'd use linseed oil.. (that is what I use) I rub in one coat.. let sit for 3/4hr.. then rub off excess... next day repeat... nex day repeat... I do this for 4-6 coats... I don;t use stain anymore either....

[usmcchet9296]

What I did was: take all the wood and put it in the dishwasher. This may be difficult for you depending on the size of your dishwasher. It is better for your health to make sure you do it while the wife is out shopping
When the stock comes out it will be blond. Give it a day to dry out completely. Start sanding with higher and higher grit sandpaper. Go all the way up to 300. As you do it, take a wet rag and after a sanding session wipe it down, and let it dry. This will cause whiskering. Successive sanding will remove the whiskers. At this point, go to the hardware store and find a finish you like. This really depends on if you want a glossy or matte finish. Whichever one you choose, coat, let dry for 24 hours and sand. Repeat once a day for about two weeks. You will be pleased with the results.
I would recommend against doing any fills, I just don't think it looks right, but to each his own.
One more note, after you run it through the dishwasher, run the dishwasher with an empty cycle. Or maybe throw in a plate so the wife won't get suspicious about you running an empty load.

BTW I am assuming you didnt use dishwasher detergant correct

[usmcchet9296]

I'd use linseed oil.. (that is what I use) I rub in one coat.. let sit for 3/4hr.. then rub off excess... next day repeat... nex day repeat... I do this for 4-6 coats... I don;t use stain anymore either....

that will give it a walnut finish correct?