Tru-Oil gun stock finish is a popular choice among gun enthusiasts and professional gunsmiths alike for its durability, ease of application, and beautiful, deep luster. This guide delves into everything you need to know about using Tru-Oil, from preparation to final finishing, ensuring you achieve a professional-looking result on your prized firearm.
Understanding Tru-Oil: Benefits and Considerations
Tru-Oil is a penetrating oil finish, meaning it soaks into the wood rather than sitting on top like a varnish or lacquer. This results in a finish that's both protective and enhances the wood's natural grain and beauty. Key benefits include:
- Durability: Tru-Oil creates a hard, protective layer resistant to scratches and minor impacts.
- Water Resistance: Provides excellent protection against moisture, crucial for preserving the integrity of your gunstock.
- Ease of Application: Relatively straightforward to apply, even for beginners, with minimal specialized tools required.
- Enhanced Grain: The finish deepens the color and brings out the natural grain patterns of the wood.
- Repairability: Minor scratches and blemishes can be easily repaired with additional coats of Tru-Oil.
However, there are a few points to consider:
- Drying Time: Tru-Oil requires significant drying time between coats, potentially slowing down the overall finishing process.
- Multiple Coats: Achieving a durable and even finish requires applying multiple thin coats, demanding patience.
- Potential for Yellowing (Over Time): While rare, prolonged exposure to UV light can cause some yellowing over time. This is often minimized with a final coat of a UV-resistant product.
Preparing Your Gun Stock for Tru-Oil
Proper preparation is paramount for a successful finish. A poorly prepared surface will result in an uneven, unsatisfactory finish.
1. Sanding: The Foundation of a Perfect Finish
Begin by sanding your gunstock with progressively finer grits of sandpaper. Start with a coarser grit (e.g., 100-grit) to remove any imperfections, gradually moving to finer grits (e.g., 150, 220, 320, and finally 400-grit) for a smooth surface. Ensure your sanding is even across the entire surface, avoiding any swirl marks.
2. Cleaning: Removing Dust and Debris
After sanding, thoroughly clean the gunstock to remove all dust and debris. A tack cloth is highly effective for this purpose. Compressed air can also help remove dust from hard-to-reach areas.
3. Degreasing: Essential for Adhesion
Degrease the gunstock with a suitable solvent like mineral spirits to remove any oils or contaminants that might interfere with the Tru-Oil's adhesion. Allow the solvent to evaporate completely before proceeding.
Applying Tru-Oil: A Step-by-Step Guide
Applying Tru-Oil involves a thin coat method – patience is key.
1. The First Coat: A Thin, Even Application
Apply a thin, even coat of Tru-Oil using a lint-free cloth or a soft brush, working with the grain of the wood. Avoid pooling or over-application. Wipe off any excess after a few minutes.
2. Drying Time: Patience is a Virtue
Allow the first coat to dry completely for at least 24 hours. The drying time may vary depending on temperature and humidity.
3. Subsequent Coats: Building Up the Finish
Repeat the process, applying thin coats of Tru-Oil, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next. Typically, 6-8 coats are required to achieve a durable finish. Between coats, lightly sand with very fine sandpaper (600-grit or higher) to smooth any imperfections.
4. Final Buffing: Achieving a High Gloss
After the final coat has dried, lightly buff the gunstock with a polishing compound and a soft cloth to achieve a high gloss.
Maintaining Your Tru-Oil Finish
Maintaining your Tru-Oil finish is straightforward. Occasional cleaning with a soft cloth and a mild cleaner is usually sufficient. For more significant scratches or damage, apply additional thin coats of Tru-Oil to the affected areas and re-buff as needed.
Conclusion
Tru-Oil gun stock finish offers a beautiful, durable, and easy-to-apply solution for protecting and enhancing the appearance of your firearm's stock. By carefully following the steps outlined in this guide and exercising patience, you can achieve professional-looking results that will enhance your shooting experience. Remember that practice makes perfect, and don't be afraid to experiment to find your preferred application technique.
