Marcus Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 I recently bought my first gun, a Browning Medalist. I am pleased with the gun - but something was nagging me - the varnish that Browning had applied at manufacture had given the gun a 'David Dickinson' glow about it, couple this with the inevitable dinks and scrapes, it wasnt easy on the eye. Why Gun makers put varnish on 'good' wood is a mystery to me, with the inevitable path it will go down as time takes its toll (the varnish lends itself to showing up every scratch and blemish, degrades and slowly developes an orange haze) So, after much deliberation, I decided to give it a make over. Here's my story........... I know this is an entry level Browning, so I wasnt expecting the Walnut to be top draw, and right I was. (poor figure and light colour) After taking the wood off the gun, I decided to take the Moisture Content (not for any particular purpose, just curiosity on my part) It came in between 3% - 4%. I was quite surprised at this figure, its practically bone dry. Im not sure what the moisture content would be at point of manufacture, but at this level it lends itself to damage from the elements, especially as the varnish on mine had started to degrade and crack. Once I removed the wood from the gun I could see that it was somewhat lighter in the areas that are not normally seen by the eye in use. This meant the wood had been given some colour treatment at manufacture (to be expected I suppose on entry level guns) This posed a potential problem when removing the varnish by sand paper, and by using nitromors in the normal way as both methods would remove the colour. I wanted to keep as much of the original colour as possible, so as not to create more work, and possible issues with staining further on in the process. I tried 400 grit sandpaper on a small area, and it did start to lighten too much, so I decided to use Nitromors. I used an ear bud, dipped in some Nitromors and worked on small areas only. I did not want the Nitromors to rip through the varnish and bleech out the colour. It was applied so that it only just cut the varnish to the point at which I could remove it with 0000 wire wool. Time consuming, but worth the effort. The process of removing the varnish took care of 80% of the 'visual' blemishes, an added bonus when dropping 'Dickinson' from your wood Once the varnish was removed completely the wood was wiped down with a wet cloth. This process was applied to the forend and stock and allowed to dry. Then came the tack cloth to completely remove and debris / dust from the wood, prior to applying the oil. Oil was applied to the wood, left for about 10 mins then the excess removed with a clean cloth. I then allowed to dry for 5 hours (recommended for the oil I am using, others will vary) Once dry it is de-nibbed with 0000 wire wool, tack cloth, and oiled again. I am now drying the second coat of oil. It is taking the oil well (no surprise there - it is only 3% MC) so should be able to continue with a few more yet until I am happy with the way it looks. I am not indending to use any other finish. I am pleased how this has changed the look of the gun. It has given a nice rich colour to the Walnut, it has also improved the feel, its now smooth to touch. It wont make me shoot any better, but I get much greater satisfaction when looking at it. Dickinson may still be on telly, bit he's no longer on my gun ! I have taken some photo's at different stages, and once finished (and I have found how to up-load) I will put them up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 nice write up - look forward to the photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry b Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 hi there thinking of doing the same to one of my guns ,can u recommend a decent stock oil to use cheers terry b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted June 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 hi therethinking of doing the same to one of my guns ,can u recommend a decent stock oil to use cheers terry b I used a Finishing Oil by Liberon. Its a blended oil with resins and dryers. It leaves a Matt to Satin finish, or can be brought to a gloss by using a paste wax on top and buffed up etc. Any oil could be used. Danish I use quite often on my turned items, I see there are quite a few oils now made specifically for gun stocks, although they are often the basic oils packaged up for the gun trade and given a different name. All the best with your project Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 hi therethinking of doing the same to one of my guns ,can u recommend a decent stock oil to use cheers terry b Good old fashion boiled linseed oil . Most of the oil sold as gunstock oil is based on linseed oil with additives to make the oil go off quicker . Linseed oil will take longer ,but will give a better finish . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe99 Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 Nice write up Marcus; you've motivated me to do something similar to my old Garden Gun. Renewing a nasty bit of wood on a gun is a most satisfying experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 This is the Medalist prior to me working on it, will post some more in a min Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Another, sorry the quality isnt too good, also not sure how to get more than one pic on each post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Last one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Looks good mate, which medalist did you get ? the one he wanted 495 for ? or the one for 395 ? Cant wait to see the finished product Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 (edited) Thanks Bigthug I have now cleaned the barrells externally, got the muck and grime off them, the action was very clean by comparison, though im not an expert. All in all its come up a treat, coupled with the stock makeover, its much nicer now. Edited July 30, 2010 by Marcus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Nice work mate Get up the pics of what it look's like now Where abouts do you live btw mate ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Will get the new pics up soon, its nearly finished I live in Bridgend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 under way...shows the difference between the bare wood and varnish nicely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Stripped forend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 2 finishing cycles complete and re-assembled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Close up of the finished forend, I like the forend best, its slightly better quality wood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Close up of the stock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epic Fail Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 looks very nice the one i had from there had some little marks but im happy with it shoots brilliant hope you like yours now and lloyd liked mine too the other day too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 I am pleased with the outcome . I may give it another cycle, will sit on it for a few days. The pictures are not very good, but it gives an indication of the change in appearance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Nice work Marcus Has it taken those dinks out of the stock ? Hell of an effort They are a cracking lil gun Im saving atm, not sure what to buy first, a nice shotty or a pup lol! Prob get shotty first n pup afterwards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epic Fail Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 (edited) get the medalist mate then me you and marcus can go onto my big permission (with the owners permission of corse) there are ctops there and an air strips so lots and lots of birds when i was being shown around yesterday oh yeah lloyd did you get the pic of the midland with the scope on it ? Edited June 17, 2009 by angelotambini Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Nice work Marcus Has it taken those dinks out of the stock ? Hell of an effort They are a cracking lil gun Im saving atm, not sure what to buy first, a nice shotty or a pup lol! Prob get shotty first n pup afterwards Thanks - the stock had a lot of surface scratches and a few dinks. All the surface scratches came out as these were in the varnish, and all bar a few of the dinks improved. Its never going to have mint woodwork, but the process has revived it a great deal. I would get the gun first, at least when you when you have had enough you can lock it in the cabinet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Thanks - the stock had a lot of surface scratches and a few dinks. All the surface scratches came out as these were in the varnish, and all bar a few of the dinks improved. Its never going to have mint woodwork, but the process has revived it a great deal. I would get the gun first, at least when you when you have had enough you can lock it in the cabinet. Haha very true Yes will be a shotty first Sounds good Angelo , whats the ground like ? What birds are about ? We should get up there on the weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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