Re: Staining 500 Stock
I beleive it is common with birch/beech as I have researched. It is just a fact of life with these species. Unless you apply a spray stain/lacquer finish, you are going to get the blotchly look. Even with the wood conditioner, it is there, though nto as pronounced. As I said earlier, it is not an unattractive look and I really prefer it to the factory finishes.
Now, if is was a walnut setup, I would be really happy! Nothing looks better than a nice oil finish walnut stock. Ron
I beleive it is common with birch/beech as I have researched. It is just a fact of life with these species. Unless you apply a spray stain/lacquer finish, you are going to get the blotchly look. Even with the wood conditioner, it is there, though nto as pronounced. As I said earlier, it is not an unattractive look and I really prefer it to the factory finishes.
Now, if is was a walnut setup, I would be really happy! Nothing looks better than a nice oil finish walnut stock. Ron
John A. said:If I were a betting man, I would put my money on Ripjacks comments being spot on.
The light spot(s) are probably caused by the stain NOT soaking into the wood, and the darker spots around where you would hold the weapon probably has soaked up some sweat and body oils already over time and physical contact which is reacting with the stain.
Several things can cause that, but is probably in the specific piece of wood itself.
Also, some species of birch has naturally occurring resinous oils in the wood that helps it prevent decaying and may could cause it to resist oil stain from penetrating as well.