Waiting for BP: Nit-picking AK bits

[infernl]

Since I can't make the next build party, I've been nit-picking parts to pass the time. First up is the Timbersmith stock set that I purchased. It looked great right out of the box, but I wanted to improve the beauty of the black laminate. Sanding, polyurethane and a ton of block sanding later, and this is now ready to go. I also sanded and shot all of the hardware and buttplate in semi gloss black:






Out of sheer boredom today, I also stripped the original furniture, light sanded, stained with onyx black, and then rubbed everything down with boiled linseed oil. For what was hardly any work compared to the Timbersmith job, I've gotta say I dig the original furniture almost as much now.
This is what it looked like before:


And now:

[infernl]

I still need to buff all of the original bits, just wanted them to soak up as much oil as possible. The paint stripper I used was pretty stout, nasty stuff which left the wood very dried out.

[nicoroshi]

I really like the look of the Timersmith stuff re-finished.
Good Job

[infernl]

Thanks, I have to admit I was a bit hesitant to sand on a brand new stock set that runs $120!

[nicoroshi]

Thanks, I have to admit I was a bit hesitant to sand on a brand new stock set that runs $120!

I know how you feel bro.
Try de-milling a kit that you spent $1000 for.
Sometimes it just has to be done though.

[generalpetres]

nice wood, i ended up purchasing a russian red furniture set for my romy g and am currently refinishing the original furniture along with bulgy furniture and some psl furniture. half the fun of doing ak style weapons is the amount of work that gets put into them and how awesome they can look when your finished. be patient and before you know it you will have a working ak to have fun with.

[infernl]

An update: I was cleaning the garage this morning, organizing some shelves and stared at a can of Flitz polish on one of my shelves. The can says its good for polishing plastic, and I've used it on headlights many times. I got to thinking that polyurethane is still plastic, and that as long as the finish on my AK stock kit was fully cured - I ought to be able to polish it out. If I was wrong, I could just refinish my work.

Turns out, I was right. It brought a deepness and reflection to the finish that I didn't think was possible for a satin polyurethane wipe-on finish. See if you agree:





And since that turned out so nicely, I polished my M44 Mosin up too:

[AmbientR]

HOLY CRAP!! I have to get that polish...

[infernl]

Picked up two of these. One is for my Romy G fixed stock, with a BB unless its configured featureless which I haven't completely decided yet. The other will be used on the underfolder I'm planning on doing next (flip over for underfolder).

[TURBOELKY]

The wood looks great! Question is, whats the finish of the rifle going to be? I had my wood shined once or twice.....had to paint the rifle with satin black AH2, looked terrible with the park finish.

[WTSGDYBBR]

Picked up two of these. One is for my Romy G fixed stock, with a BB unless its configured featureless which I haven't completely decided yet. The other will be used on the underfolder I'm planning on doing next (flip over for underfolder).

Took me a wile to figure out what that was.

[infernl]

The plan is to parkerize it, to get it done and protect it all. If I find that its too gritty for the furniture, I'll either repaint, or build another receiver. -Darn, another AK...

No problem using AH or Cerakote over park'ed finishes from what I've read, as long as the surface is clean / oil-free.

[Gowking]

What is that?

-MRA

[infernl]

What is that?

-MRA

Its an ambidextrous single point sling attachment.
Installs between the pistol grip and receiver.

Also serves as a reinforcement plate.

[Gowking]

Ah I see it now it slips along the trigger guard and is held in place between the receiver and PG. Pretty slick, I've never seen one that was purpose made.

-MRA