How to Refinish Shotgun Stocks

Ensure the gun is unloaded before beginning.

You can rejuvenate the appearance of the stock on your shotgun by refinishing it with the appropriate coatings. Before you begin, understand an important point. Shotgun stocks are finished with a varnish topcoat that protects the wood from moisture and abrasion. If you apply a new finish directly over this coating, you will eventually end up with shedding. You must eliminate the glossy topcoat, prior to application, or you the stock will not absorb the new stain.

Things You'll Need

• 120-grit sandpaper
• 220-grit sandpaper
• Tack cloths
• Plastic drop cloth
• Heavy-duty fabric drop cloth
• Professional painter's tape
• 2-inch oil paintbrush
• Oil-based stain
• Rags
• Mineral spirits
• Varnish

Instructions

1. Make sure the weapon is unloaded.

2. Sand the shotgun stock with 120-grit sandpaper. Sand along with the grain of the wood to prevent splintering. Stop sanding when the stock appears dull.

3. Sand the shotgun stock with 220-grit sandpaper. Stop sanding when the stock feels smooth.

4. Wipe down the stock with a tack cloth.

5. Protect areas of the shotgun adjacent to the stock with painter's tape.

6. Spread out a plastic drop cloth on the ground. Place a fabric drop cloth over the plastic. Set the gun on the drop cloths.

7. Coat the shotgun stock with oil-based stain, using a paintbrush engineered for use with oil paint. Use clean rags to wipe excess stain from the stock. Wait two hours. Apply a second coat of stain for darker results. Wait four hours for the final coat of stain to dry.

8. Wash the brush with mineral spirits.

9. Coat the stained shotgun stock with varnish, using the clean paintbrush. Wait four hours before handling the shotgun stock.

Tips & Warnings

• Never sand against the wood grain of a shotgun stock or you will cause splintering.

• Don't apply stain directly over an unsanded shotgun stock or the finish will flake.