Wood stain

[Mike D.]

I stained this '94 Winchester forend this morning using Minwax Red Oak 215. This the first application but after it dries another coat may be needed. The stain was liberally applied with a throw away brush and wiped with a rag to remove the excess. The color easily resembles the red that is typical of older Winchester wood.

[Chuck 100 yd]

Nice color Mike. I have been using Brownells French Red and just love it.
Post another pic after the finish is on if you would please.

This is the French Red on a Win 94.

[pokey]

those are both nice, different eras it seems.

[JReed]

Looking good Mike. Looks like it could use some grain filler though.

[Mike D.]

Looking good Mike. Looks like it could use some grain filler though.

That will prob'ly be step number 2, Jeremy. I'm no expert on this process, so it will be t and e. It's the unfinished forend that came with the complete front end assembly I bought from Numrich.

[flb]

I do a lot of stocks for guys who like the old Winchester look and I use a 50/50 mix of red mahogany and dark walnut, gives just a hint of red. I would fill the grain first then stain if I were doing it. the French red mentioned is also great. You are on the right track and have fun.

[Sixgun]

Mike,
Looks good and I learn something new everyday! While I have been using Win-Rest's oil finish/stain, I find that some wood has closer grain and needs something stronger, like military red/walnut stain and others need a weaker red stain like what you just posted. Thanks-----------Sixgun

[Mike D.]

I'm thinkin' of color sanding it with 600 grit paper and mineral spirits to help fill the grain, then staining over it. Would that work?

[flb]

I sand smooth, whisker the stock(wet it, raises the grain with heat from hair dryer then cut back with 400, do that twice). Then I fill with Tru-oil thinned 50/50 with mineral spirits until all filled. Then stain to your desire, let dry 48 hours then finish any way you want. Here is a pic of a Win 21 quail fun I did for a customer using Tru-oil(25coats at least).

[salvo]

That is going to look great Mike D!
I too am a French Red user

[kimwcook]

Keep it coming guys that stuff looks great. I've done a couple stocks, but I'm always looking for professional guidance.

[Mike D.]

I am not attempting to produce a thing of beauty, just a plain utilitarian stock. It will probably suffer abuse in the field, and be out in all sorts of weather, so all that's needed is a little protection from Mother Nature's onslaughts. I went ahead and slathered the stain on the wood, sanded it in with 600 grit, then wiped the excess off. After 3 days and 3 coats, this is the result. I'm probably gonna just go over it with satin spar varnish and call it good. If the result is satisfactory, the buttstock will get the same treatment.