You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Calling Dfariswheel
- Thread starter publius
- Start date
Dfariswheel
New member
You can, but it needs to penetrate deeper into into the wood or you'll tend to steel wool it off during finish application.
I recommend a good water or alcohol based stain.
Surprisingly, the old Birchwood-Casey Walnut Water Stain works very well, but you have to thin it down with alcohol or it stains too dark, too fast.
Brownell's sell several other water based stains.
One of the best looking stains for walnut is one of the "Pre-1964" stains. This gives the wood a slight reddish color like the old American rifles had, and that Winchester used prior to 1964.
Minwax used to sell the Antique Oil Finish with a walnut stain mixed in, but seem to have discontinued it.
I recommend a good water or alcohol based stain.
Surprisingly, the old Birchwood-Casey Walnut Water Stain works very well, but you have to thin it down with alcohol or it stains too dark, too fast.
Brownell's sell several other water based stains.
One of the best looking stains for walnut is one of the "Pre-1964" stains. This gives the wood a slight reddish color like the old American rifles had, and that Winchester used prior to 1964.
Minwax used to sell the Antique Oil Finish with a walnut stain mixed in, but seem to have discontinued it.
Thank you Sir. I think I will get a small can of the minwax walnut stain, thin it well, and try it on the recoil pad end of the butstock so it will be hidden if I don't like it. i don't want to do it if you don't think it neccessary. Brand new piece of walnut. If the standard oil finish will darken it even a little I would be happy. What's your opinion?
Dfariswheel
New member
As above, it seems that Minwax no longer makes the walnut stain oil finish.
The standard Minwax doesn't darken the wood, but any finish tends to make it look a little darker.
The Minwax will not darken the end grain areas like stains will.
For a good idea how it'll look with a finish on it, just wipe the wood with a damp sponge. The wet wood will look pretty much like it'll look with a finish on it.
Just to see if you like it, I'd try one of the Pre-64 reddish stains from Brownell's.
Find out what thinner is used with the one you buy and experiment a little to see how you like it and how dark you want it.
On most woods, lighter staining is better than darker. It tends to look better than too dark.
If you don't know what the thinner is for a brand of stain, just email Brownell's Tech staff:
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=9816/Product/CLASSIC_SPIRIT_STAINS
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=7677/Product/MILITARY_STOCK_STAIN
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=27404/Product/RUSTY_WALNUT_STAIN
The standard Minwax doesn't darken the wood, but any finish tends to make it look a little darker.
The Minwax will not darken the end grain areas like stains will.
For a good idea how it'll look with a finish on it, just wipe the wood with a damp sponge. The wet wood will look pretty much like it'll look with a finish on it.
Just to see if you like it, I'd try one of the Pre-64 reddish stains from Brownell's.
Find out what thinner is used with the one you buy and experiment a little to see how you like it and how dark you want it.
On most woods, lighter staining is better than darker. It tends to look better than too dark.
If you don't know what the thinner is for a brand of stain, just email Brownell's Tech staff:
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=9816/Product/CLASSIC_SPIRIT_STAINS
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=7677/Product/MILITARY_STOCK_STAIN
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=27404/Product/RUSTY_WALNUT_STAIN
Note that though Minwax no longer makes the oil stain, you can buy high penetrating stain finishes from Watco in their Danish Oil line. They make a number of colors and you can blend red with walnut and whatnot. Same with Deft, I believe.
If you want more control, Woodcrafters sells Transtint colors that are both water and alcohol soluble colors that may also be blended. Their Reddish Brown #128483 on the top row, here, is close.
It's probably easier just to get the Brownells Pilkington Pre-64 stain, but I haven't tried it. At $23 for 2 oz, it is pricey, but you get the advertised color exactly. The Transtint, at $18.50, mixes with alcohol to make a whole quart, so it is a lot less expensive per ounce. But you may have to buy and mix a couple of them to get an exact color.
If you want more control, Woodcrafters sells Transtint colors that are both water and alcohol soluble colors that may also be blended. Their Reddish Brown #128483 on the top row, here, is close.
It's probably easier just to get the Brownells Pilkington Pre-64 stain, but I haven't tried it. At $23 for 2 oz, it is pricey, but you get the advertised color exactly. The Transtint, at $18.50, mixes with alcohol to make a whole quart, so it is a lot less expensive per ounce. But you may have to buy and mix a couple of them to get an exact color.