Revolver Wood Grip Question

Tom B

New member
I have a set of rosewood grips with the high gloss coating (propa-whatever the glossy coating is called). I want to remove the gloss and give the wood a softer appearance. What should I use to remove the gloss coat and what to use to coat the grip afterwards? These are Taurus rosewood grips. Thanks.
 
Using fine steel wool on the gloss finish, will take away the shine. That may give you the matte finish you`re looking for, without going any further. If you want to apply something over it, I`d try a flat/satin polyurethane. Good luck!
 
It's all wood man, it's all wood

Polyurethane?

If you want to strip it off, use something like ZipStrip. Be sure you remove them from the gun first. Or else just use light sandpaper and steel wool to remove the old finish.

Once you have them stripped to the bare/stained wood, use boiled linseed oil for the finish. Do about 6 coats, allowing to dry fully between them. This will give you a really deep, hand oiled and rubbed look, and still give a decent finish to the wood.

This is just woodworking knowledge; There may be better methods specific to handguns, but then, it's all wood.

-- Sam
 
Thanks Sam

I just completed my second coat of linseed oil. I don't know if the wood will be able to absorb 6 coats however.
 
Make sure fully dry tween coats. Rub em out each time.

Takes time and effort. Tis worth it.

A little carnuba wax rubbed in after the oil and rubbing has been done for a while.

Sam, other one
 
Both Sam's are right on.
The wax is important since Linseed oil never really dries and will get yuckey when the humidity gets high. Flitz sells a good non abrasive gun wax that can be used on the gun and the wood.
 
If you can find it, try Formby's. As said, remove the grips/stocks first. Formby's will "melt" the old finish as you apply it with "0000" steel wool. Then you can do an oil finish or a poly coat of some kind. Looked good on the two I tried.
Mark.
 
Boiled linseed oil will dry - it has cemical driers added to accomplish this.

I'd remove the original finish with very fine steel wool, using stripper only as a last resort.

Good finishes to use are:

- matte polyurethane
- Birchwood-Casey Tru-Oil
- Tung oil (Minwax makes some of this)
- boiled linseed oil

I like to thin the oil - 50/50 - paint thinner or turps works with some of these (see instructions on can). Apply a number of thin coats, letting the oil soak in for about 10 miutes, reapplying to keep it wet. Then wipe as much off as you can. Let sit for 24-48 hours, and repeat. do this 5 or 6 times. The final time, apply just one or two drops of oil, wipe over surface evenly, and let dry.
 
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