Tru-oil question

[DannyinJapan]

I am working on a Mikov Automatic kit. It has some nice rosewood scales I want to give the tru-oil treatment.
My question is: Would letting the scales sit on top of my very warm computer monitor hurt or help?
Would gentle heat like that help the process?

 

[chechacko]

hi danny, my experience with rosewood in rifle stocks tells me that after the finish is sanded down very fine, all you have to do is buff it shoe polish style with a fairly coarse cotton cloth and the finish will come out all by itself. it has its own finish. great wood.

 

[ferguson]

Chechako is right about rosewood being self-finishing, but you can still use truoil if you wish.

Danny, I have done that if they won't dry out. Rosewood can be pretty oily which keeps the truoil from drying. On a couple of khuk handles the wood was so oily, that I would have to use a hair dryer to dry it. You want the finish to soak in, but if it doesn't dry in a day or three, try wiping off the tacky finish, put a thin coat on, and try some gentle heat.



Rosewood is beautiful!

Steve

 

[Dave Rishar]

Here's a trick I use on abused rifle stocks, prior to refinishing. Use gentle heat for an hour or two - direct sunlight works, or if this isn't available, use an oven at its absolute lowest setting. (Should be about 100F or so.) This will drive out and dry some of the excess oil without causing any harm. It will raise the grain.

If you want to remove more, use some spray-on oven cleaner on the warm wood and give it a few minutes to work. You'd have to alternate back and forth a few times to remove all the oil from a WWII-era stock with the "cosmolene oil finish" (or more recent CLP-finished M14 stocks, for that matter) so one application ought to work on a handle.

You'll wind up with a piece of wood that's almost completely dry and will soak up the oil of your choice like a sponge. Even the unforgivably ugly comblock wood looks presentable with a proper oil finish.

Heat always helps with an oil finish IMO.

 

[munk]

You've been given good advice, Danny. I can only add that I prefer a satin finish to an exagerated shine. The satin is more easily repaired.



An advantage to true-oiling the rosewood would be enhanced protection.



munk