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

by
posted on April 8, 2025
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Wood Stock—Without Refinishing
Photo by author.

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.

leather dye and oilThis 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.

Latest

Sw Mp Spec Series Web
Sw Mp Spec Series Web

Review: Smith & Wesson Spec Series V M&P 9 Metal HD

This latest enhancement from Smith & Wesson proves that good things can come from heavier, steel-framed packages.

Old Glory Bank, NRA Partner To Provide Banking Benefits To Members

Old Glory Bank and the National Rifle Association (NRA) recently entered into a joint marketing relationship to provide banking benefits to members of the NRA Business Alliance and NRA-affiliated clubs and associations.

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.