Tips & Techniques: Refresh A Tired Wood Stock—Without Refinishing

For generations, gun owners have delighted in the warm glow that is produced by a drop of gun oil rubbed into the stock of their favorite firearm. A little oil will do wonders to even out the finish and deepen the color of a tired-looking hardwood stock. But, as good as it looks, these results are fleeting—as the oil dries or is absorbed by the wood, the stock eventually returns to its former “tired” state. But there is a way to permanently bring your stock back to life—and it doesn’t require refinishing.

This trick requires only two ingredients, both of which can be found on Amazon for a couple bucks: a quality alcohol-based stain (Fiebing’s Leather Dye works well) and a bottle of oil-based wood finish (Birchwood Casey’s Tru-Oil is my favorite).

First, select a dye that most closely matches the color of your stock. You can test the color on a scrap piece of wood. If the stain is too dark, it can be diluted with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to lighten the color. Next, wipe your stock down with a soft, dry cloth to remove as much dirt and oil as possible. Now, with a cotton swab or an old T-shirt, apply an even coat of stain to your stock. The benefit of alcohol stain is its ability to penetrate through the stock’s existing finish and re-color any deep chips or scratches while leaving the wood with a nice even color.

Once the stain dries, apply a coat of wood finish before moving onto the most critical step of the whole process: Immediately, before the finish begins to dry, buff the stock dry with a soft cotton rag. This will remove the excess finish and prevent it from building up on the stock and looking too shiny. You’ll be left with a stock with fewer visible scratches and a warm, natural-looking sheen that lasts!

—David Stavlo, Lodgewood Mfg.