How to Apply Finish to a Rifle Stock

Larry Potterfield • February 04, 2017
Gunsmithing

When it comes time to apply the finish to a stock, there are some special techniques that I like to use. Let's take a look.

With long screws and spacers from the Miles Gilbert stock finishing kit, you can turn the buttplate into a handle. A light sanding of the filled stock with 400-grit is necessary to help the finish adhere. We can wipe off the sanding dust with a tack rag.

Handle attached to rifle
Handle attached to rifle

I like to work with a small cup rather than directly from the bottle and use the tips of my fingers to apply the finish. I start at the front of the stock and use long strokes, always checking for runs. If I get a run in the finish, I just wipe it off with my finger while it's still wet.

Check for runs when applying
Check for runs when applying

After the fifth coat is dry, I level sand with 600-grit wet or dry paper, using water as a lubricant. Now it's ready for another five coats, I normally apply 15 or 20 coats in total.

Sand with 600-grit paper
Sand with 600-grit paper

Applying finish to a stock isn't hard work, but it requires patience and lots of coats.

Final look
Final look

-- Larry Potterfield

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Larry Potterfield

Larry Potterfield is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of MidwayUSA. He and his wife Brenda, both country kids from Missouri, turned their passion for shooting sports into a career by opening a small gun shop in 1977 that would eventually become the industry-leading internet retailer it is today. For over 45 years, MidwayUSA has maintained an unyielding focus on Customer Satisfaction and continues to offer JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING® for Shooting, Hunting and the Outdoors.

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