NAA wood grip finish

[JRobyn]

Hi gang.

I had a slight mismatch of the halves of my new oversized rosewood grips, so I took after them with a little sanding and now need to touch up the clearcoat.  Does anyone have a clue what finish the makers of these grips might have used?  I sent Jessica an e-mail a week or so ago, but I assume that she is way too busy with her normal job plus all the Ranger kerfuffle.

[Warthog]

Nope, I don't know what the makers use.  I know I have used a spray type from Kyrylon, matte or satin are the types I use, and they have looked good to me at least.

[Ruger]

When in doubt, I always remove all finish and hand rub multiple coats of Tru Oil into the wood.  Lightly sand with 1200 grit paper after it dries and reapply the oil until I'm satisfied, maybe 5 to 6 coats.  You can use a satin finisher if you like.   Don't use on oily wood, such as cocobolo .  What a mess!

[MR_22]

What's in Tru Oil?

I've refinished a couple of old military bolt-action rifles that were in horrible shape and I use boiled linseed oil to refinish. It does a nice job. I don't use any sort of shellac or anything, though. I liked the soft feel of sanded wood finished with the linseed oil. Some I stained, some I didn't. Either way, it works great.

[Warthog]

Well, for military stuff I have always used a slightly diluted Boiled Linseed Oil than any Tru Oil, it just seemed better to me but other oils are nice ones to use and I have used them too.

[PaducahMichael]

Tru Oil is linseed oil (mostly) and some other "natural oils" whatever that means. I checked the label.

[MR_22]

Oh, that's cool. Maybe Tru Oil is better than just plain-ol' linseed oil then. I'll have to check it out--although the can of linseed oil that I have should last me a whole army's worth of bolt-action rifles.

[Warthog]

Yeah, me too Mr 22.  Back when I was collecting military surplus arms I bought a 5 gallon pail of BLO.  I dilute it slightly because it absorbs easier and dries a little faster.  I still have several gallons of it plus the one that is ready to use and diluted.  I am good for the rest of my life and if my heirs feel the need, they can have what's left. 

I will check out TRU OIL next time I go to a big box store, which is all I have here now.  The last real hardware store closed a couple years ago and the wood working shop closed just after I moved here.

[bill_deshivs]

The "rosewood" grips are actually dyed and laminated birch. They have no finish- the plasticized wood will polish like glass, and it won't take an oil finish-because it can't soak in.

[JRobyn]

The "rosewood" grips are actually dyed and laminated birch. They have no finish- the plasticized wood will polish like glass, and it won't take an oil finish-because it can't soak in.

Hmmmmm!  My final step was 0000 steel wool, so the sanded parts have a nice satin finish now.  I never thought of just polishing.  Maybe I'll try some Flitz.

[PaducahMichael]

are the grips resin impregnated, Bill?