How to Finish Rifle Stocks

Make sure the rifle is not loaded before you begin working on it.

A stock is the wooden butt end of a rifle that fits against the shoulder to provide support while firing. If you want to finish your rifle stock, your preparation and application techniques will be based on the type of finish you plan to apply. If you have a synthetic stock composed of plastic and wood composite fibers, your only option is too apply a specific type of paint. Because synthetic stocks are ill-suited for adhesion, they require abrasion prior to application, or they will eventually shed their new finishes.

Things You'll Need

• 120-grit sandpaper
• Tack cloth
• Professional painter's tape
• Heavy-duty fabric drop cloth
• Oil-based stain
• 2- to 3-inch oil-based paintbrush
• Mineral spirits
• Varnish
• Masking paper
• Oil-based spray primer
• Oil-based spray enamel
• Respirator

Instructions

Wood stocks

1. Unload the rifle and take it to a well-ventilated work area.

2. Use sandpaper to remove old varnish from the rifle stock. Sand until the wood appears dull. Use a sticky tack cloth to wipe the sawdust from the stock.

3. Protectthe portions of the rifle you don't want stained, using painter's tape. Put the gun on top of a fabric drop cloth.

4. Apply oil-based stain to the rifle stock, using a paintbrush made for use with oil-based paint. Wait two hours for the stain to dry. Add more coats if a darker look is desired.

5. Wash the paintbrush with mineral spirits.

6. Wait 24 hours. Apply varnish to the stained stock, using the clean paintbrush. Wait 6 hours before handling the rifle stock.

Synthetic stocks

1. Unload the rifle and take it to a well-ventilated work area.

2. Promote adhesion by abrading the synthetic rifle stock with sandpaper. Scour the rifle stock until it feels slightly coarse.

3. Protect portions of the rifle you don't want stained, using painter's tape. Put the gun on top of a fabric drop cloth.

4. Apply oil-based spray primer to the rifle stock. Hold the can 8 inches from the surface as you apply. Wait two hours for the primer to dry.

5. Apply oil-based enamel to the rifle stock. Hold the can 8 inches from the surface as you apply. Wait 2 hours for the enamel to dry. Wait 8 hours before handling the stock.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a respirator if you are working in an unventilated area.

• Never prime unabraded synthetic stocks, or the primer will peel.

• Never paint unprimed synthetic stocks, or the paint will fail.

Resources

• Popular Mechanics: 5 Pro Painting Tips Every Amateur Should Know