The Gunstock Doctor Supply Company
Home of Tom's 1/3 Mix Military Gunstock Wax


General Stock Cleaning:



The VERY most important thing in working with gunstocks, especially older stocks, is to be patient with the processes. The more you get in a hurry to get it done, the more mistakes YOU WILL MAKE. Believe me, I know :)

I like to keep things as original as possible, but will give you three ways to clean/refurbish your stock.

For most stocks a simple wipe with a rag and your favorite solvent (mineral spirits or turpentine) will get most of the "dirt" and grime off the stock. This is the least intrusive on the original finish. If more is needed ....


An Oil Scrub: Mix a 50/50 solution of Boiled Linseed Oil and Turpentine (mineral spirits is fine) and with a #00 or finer buffing pad (I no longer use steel wool), scrub it into the stock. A light rub is usually sufficient. When you've scrubbed the entire stock let it set for about 20 minutes. Then with a terry cloth type towel or rag, wipe the stock clean. After letting the stock set for a minimum of 24 hours you may repeat if desired. The stock is ready for the next step if when you wipe your hand across it, your hand doesn't glisten. If it glistens even a bit - give it some more time before the next step. If I do oil scrubs, I usually do two before I do anything else. In rare cases ...


Refinishing the stock: Use a good wood striper only and follow the instructions to strip the existing finish off the stock. You may have to strip the stock more than once before you get all the existing finish off. I've rarely been able to get it all off in one attempt. Also, use those big heavy rubber cleaning gloves when you do - just take my word for it.


If you happen to have a Russian rifle that has a shellac finish on your stock everything is pretty much the same until you get to refinishing it. In order to strip the stock you will need Denatured Alcohol, buffing pads, several rags and patience. The Denatured Alcohol will cut the shellac and then you basically wipe it off. Do small sections at a time and be patient - you'll be able to clearly tell when you have clean wood. You may or may not want to use a wood stripper afterwards. It does tend to help.



Directions for use - 1/3 Mix



It is best apply to a gunstock that is separated from the action. Apply liberally by hand and let sit for 30 to 40 minutes before removing with a clean rag (white shop towels work great). When rubbing it in with your bare hand you'll notice the mix literally melt into the stock. It's a pretty neat feeling. If necessary, you can wear latex or nitrile gloves. Using a rag to apply wastes quite a bit of mix and you don't get the benefit of the heat from you rubbing it in the stock. If you wish to apply multiple applications, you may check beginning at about 6 hours after applying by running your hand across the stock - if it doesn’t show oily on your skin, it is ready for another application. Generally, it will take between 6 and 8 hours to properly dry depending on the atmospheric conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.) when it was applied. I usually use 2 or 3 applications depending on the condition of the wood.



Directions for use - Pine Tar



The Pine Tar mix is best used on clean wood. If stripping the finish isn't possible, try to get as much of whatever finish or grime that is on the rifle off with a solvent and #00 or finer buffing pad. The cleaner the wood the better the pine tar will penetrate. DO NOT DO oil scrubs before application.

Nitrile gloves are recommended as the Pine Tar mix can get quite messy and hard to clean off your hands.


Apply a small amount of the mix to the rifle stock and rub it in. You'll notice it being absorbed into the wood as you do. Let the stock set for some time (no official amount here, but at least an hour or so) before buffing off with a terry cloth type towel or rag - t-shirts and paper towels don't do very well with this. Re-apply as needed. Typically two applications should do it.

ADVANCED DIRECTIONS - Do the above, but instead of buffing the pine tar mix off, apply low heat with a hair dryer or heat gun until you see the pine tar glisten. You're looking to warm the pine tar, not cook it in. When it begins to glisten rub the pine tar back into the stock. After this step, apply another application of pine tar and repeat with heat and rubbing about an hour later. Then buff the pine tar off with a terry cloth type towel or rag. You may or may not want to repeat all this depending on how the finish is accepted by the wood.



The Gunstock Doctor Supply Company
Est. 2007



Tom's 1/3 Mix is proudly produced and packaged in Pearland, Tx. USA