I have restored the stock of an Yugoslavian SKS rifle, finished with Zinser
Bullseye Amber Shellac. The SKS, when fired a lot, will heat up the barrel and
gas port tube, which in turn, heats up the wood stock a reasonable amount
(warm, but not quite hot, to the touch).
Any suggestions on how long I should wait to allow the finish to cure (5 light
coats) before allowing it to get warm in a shooting session?
Rich Stern wrote:
>
> I have restored the stock of an Yugoslavian SKS rifle, finished with Zinser
> Bullseye Amber Shellac. The SKS, when fired a lot, will heat up the barrel and
> gas port tube, which in turn, heats up the wood stock a reasonable amount
> (warm, but not quite hot, to the touch).
>
> Any suggestions on how long I should wait to allow the finish to cure (5 light
> coats) before allowing it to get warm in a shooting session?
How long between coats, what cut (lbs of shellac/gallon alcohol) and
how was
it applied (rub on, brush, foam brush, spray)? If you're impatient
and apply
coats as soon as the previous one "feels" dry (not tacky) the alcohol
from
the previous coat may not have evaporated completely. Next coat slows
the
evaporation of the first coat etc.. Heavier cuts seem to take a
little longer
than light cuts. Rub on dries very quickly and goes on very thin so
each
coat doesn't need much time before the next coat goes on. If applied
with
a foam brush you get a little heavier application than with a fine
bristle
brush so it takes longer to get hard.
Unless you're competing in less than a week I'd give it a week before
normal handling, wear and tear and, in this case, heat
BTW - my local Ace Hardware store carries rotten stone in the paint
area. Might just be my local store - they carry all kinds of stuff
you definitely won't find at The Borg.
charlie b
T> How long between coats, what cut (lbs of shellac/gallon alcohol) and
>how was
> it applied (rub on, brush, foam brush, spray)? If you're impatient
>and apply
> coats as soon as the previous one "feels" dry (not tacky) the alcohol
>from
> the previous coat may not have evaporated completely. Next coat slows
>the
> evaporation of the first coat etc.. Heavier cuts seem to take a
>little longer
> than light cuts. Rub on dries very quickly and goes on very thin so
>each
> coat doesn't need much time before the next coat goes on. If applied
>with
> a foam brush you get a little heavier application than with a fine
>bristle
> brush so it takes longer to get hard.
>
> Unless you're competing in less than a week I'd give it a week before
> normal handling, wear and tear and, in this case, heat
>
> BTW - my local Ace Hardware store carries rotten stone in the paint
> area. Might just be my local store - they carry all kinds of stuff
> you definitely won't find at The Borg.
>
> charlie b
Thanks, charlie. It is 3lb. cut straight from the can. I didn't wait long
between coats. Some a few hours, some overnight. Brushed on, did my best to
keep each coat light.
I got the Zinser at the local Ace. I head there anytime I want a better
selection of finishing materials. I used auto rubbing comound for the final
rubbing.