DirtyDeeds Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 Oil or varnish? What are the pros and cons of finishing the gun furniture with either? Does oil give more protection? Is varnish harder wearing? Or is it all down to personal preference? I have found plenty of threads on how to do both, but not which finish to use and why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P03 Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 Down to personal preference really. I always go for an oil finish as I think it looks better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilky Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 I much prefer oil, wood being a natural material breathes and alters slightly in different ambient condions and varnish can crack, meaning it's all to do again, however, I've been told truoil gives a good finish and is supposedly a varnish type thing, I've never used it so I don't know, linseed oil for me and the upkeep of an oil finish is easier too, so long as you don't over oil it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oly Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 I agree, varnish can crack if the gun stock is accidentally dented slightly - also as I have found with my olf AYA the varish around the chequering wears off over time and then doesn't protect the wood as well. To repair this is quite a tricky and skilled task to look right. With an oil finish you don't get any of this and if the wood does need attention it's not so much of a hassle/skill to oil the stock to look good again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyDeeds Posted December 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 I must admit to liking a nice natural wood coloured satin finish on my woodwork. My Webley air rifle was stripped, sanded and varnished and has been great for years now - that was sprayed with Holts laquer (acrylic I believe) and has a nice 'just off mirror' type gloss which seems to endure. I've seen some oil finishes that look dark, dull, and gummy/sticky, and I guese this puts me off them a little. In this thread, I prefer the natural wood colour to that when it is oiled.... Out of these three... I prefer the middle one or, ideally, one like this... So, is there an oil that won't darken the wood and look quite glossy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 I think you are looking at varnish as a finish then.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyDeeds Posted December 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 I think you are looking at varnish as a finish then.. ...unless there's an oil that doesn't darken. Maybe a professional french polisher or some such can advise. I know one - I'll have a word with him. Thanks for all the replies, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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