Cleaning and Refinishing an M91/30 Laminate Stock

[ww2arms]

Hi
Just bought an M91/30 with a laminate stock. I guess I did not realize what I was asking for when I got the laminate version. It looks OK but not good. I would like to try giving it a thorough cleaning with something, and in the alternative refinishing it. Can such a thing be done? Thanks.

[Swede]

I bought one of the laminated stocked 91/30's before the current crop came in. It had the red varnish on it that I didn't care for.

All I did was take acetone and steel wool and more or less "wiped" off the finish. I then used 3 coats of Behr 600.

Before
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v137/sneaky603/Laminated%20stock/buttorig.jpg

Stripped
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v137/sneaky603/Laminated%20stock/buttstripped.jpg


After
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v137/sneaky603/Laminated%20stock/Buttfinished.jpg


There wasn't anything special about refinishing it, no special care because it was laminated. I just refinished it like any other stock.

[gunrun45]

Swede: Thats one pretty stock you got their friend. Good work.

[ww2arms]

Hi Swede, thanks for the great response. I will do exactly as you have done. Any idea on refinishing the metal butt plate? It does not really look blued to me, it almost looks painted the way the color is worn off. Do you know if the metal on M91/30s was all blue by the normal 21st century bluing process?

[Swede]

Thanks Gunrun.

As for the butt plate ww, I used a cold blue on it. The trick is not to blue it cold, put it in the oven at about 300 for awhile. I used a paste blue so it could sit and work for awhile. It didn't come out looking like a new rifle does but it looked better than when it started out.

I know what you mean about how they look, almost like the blueing has chipped. Sorry, don't know what process they use.

[unclebill]

I have a yugo that i used 0000steel wool with mineral spirits on ,with 2 coats of tru oil, sanding between coats. beautiful results! i didnt know i had it in me! You can leave the last coat shiny as i did ,or buff it to a satin finish with the wool .hope this helps someone.