re finishing stock on malrin 1895

[Greg Koziol]

hey all i have a marlin 1895 in .45-70 that i've had for 8 years now. I've taken it through some wild hunting trips and thick brush. I've noticed that some of the factory polyurethane is starting to fade on the forend and there are a few nicks and scratches on the surface. I was wondering if I could just use regular polyurethane for floors and furniture or for doors and add an extra coat or 2 to re finish it. I don't wanna take the whole gun apart just use a foam brush and tape off areas to prevent leavage. I'm just wondering if it's worth the effort and if the polyurethane won't end up peeling off. For all the effort I could just buy a brand new forend or stock set...

[O.S.O.K.]

I suggest chemical stripping the existing finish first followed by a very light sanding or even just use some steel wool - especially around where the tang fits into the buttstock - you don't want to remove any wood from that area.

Then, stain, let dry and use a satin polyurethane if you want the most durable.

If you apply a new finish over the existing, it will look like it...

This is one of those "no shortcuts" things.

[Sixgun]

This is one of those "no shortcuts" things.

O.S.O.K. says it like it is----properly refinishing is not exactly rocket science. There's only a few parts that have to come off---Do it right the first time-----------Sixgun

[Chuck 100 yd]

That is one of those "Leaverites" !! Do it right or Leaverite
the way it is!

Poly don`t second coat well in my experience.

[Chas.]

I was in Gander Mountain this afternoon and in looking at their Rem. 870's, I sure did admire the finish they put on those. It looked like glass. How do they do that?

[fisheadgib]

I stripped and refinished my 1895 after the first time I hunted with it. Where I hunt, it's usually wet and muddy. The first time I hunted with my 1895 and got it wet, the finish spotted with ugly white blotches. They disappeared when it dried out, but it still bugged me. I stripped the poly off gave the wood about a dozen coats of danish oil. nice deep, durable finish that looks good wet or dry.

[kimwcook]

I agree that you need to strip it down before you put anything else on the existing finish.

I was in Gander Mountain this afternoon and in looking at their Rem. 870's, I sure did admire the finish they put on those. It looked like glass. How do they do that?

I believe that's an epoxy finish.