[Artic]

Don't feel too bad though, it won't be long before we have posters on this forum that were not born before this millenia and even the younger members will start to feel old. Chuckle.

Well I am not retired yet so I am just " Old School ". ( nuck nuck ).

 

[Gus Fisher]

Do you use a water based pre stain conditioner or an oil based pre stain conditioner under alcohol stain/dye?

My SINCERE apology as with my bad eye, I missed this earlier.

I have a sealing coat of Tru Oil or sometimes Shellac when I run out of Tru Oil as my first coat on the stock. I sand the surface back smooth with 150 grint and then use the leather (alchohol) dye. So, no, there is no need to use a conditioner before the leather dye IME.

 

[Deacon]

Mods, could we make this a sticky so I don't have to search for it? So much great info! Thanks.

 

[SeniorSwede]

Finishing a brand new M1A

Thanks Gus for the great insight.

I am a woodworker and a shooter. Hybrid of sorts. I trained on the M14 at boot camp and grew to love it. Recently I purchased a SA M1A with a beautiful walnut stock. It appears to have no finish so I am not sure how to finish this. I love the wood and don't want anything glossy. I want to preserve it but retain the walnut qualities. It is so much prettier than the issue rifle I had at boot camp...of course this one was not yet dragged thru the rain and mud as mine was at camp. Or the GI work in the barracks showers! GI5