Refinishing a Remington Express stock?

[Big Al C]

Has anybody tried to refinish a stock for a Remington Express shotgun? I have one that came from the factory with a lot of excess stain on it that is still sticky. It is also a light shade that I would like to darken. To hide the light color from turkeys I put some camo tape on it, and I will need to get that residue off before I can do anything. I was told to use WD-40 for the tape residue, but I am concerned that I will need to get that residue off before I can go further. Will some type of stain remover also remove the tape residue? Does Remington use a particular type of wood that resists stains, is this why mine still has a sticky area on it, or is it just sloppy wood finishing? Thanks for any help...

[marty1028]

I sanded my stock down all but the checkering and stained it. After looking at the results I ordered a camo stock from Cabelas's, it was a factory Remington stock. It looks great!

[Strut&Rut]

I refinish guns as a hobby, I just finished my brother's older Ithaca M-37.

You need to do a little searching first...

1) Contact Remington about your stock. It sounds as if it is relatively new, and if that is the case talk to them about getting a replacement if the finish is that poor.

2) Get in touch with the technical staff to determine what your stock has in terms of (A) wood, (B) stain, and (C) clearcoat finish.

After you get those answers, you can proceed. Best bet is too remove the stock and forearm from the metal components, as you will want them to match when you are finished. You can go to a hardware store----or Lowe's/Home Depot---and get an adhesive remover (liquid or aerosol) to remove the tape gunk. Follow that with Acetone or mineral spirits---the wife's nail polish remover will also do the trick...

Next, pick up a finisher remover---last one I used I believe was made by Kleen and was an aerosol---to remove the polyurethane/shellac finish. The same stripper can then be reapplyed to remove any stain.

I'm not sure, but I believe Remington is similar to Ithaca, in that they use Walnut for their stocks/forearms and then just clearcoat. Therefore, it probably isn't stained. If you want it darker, I would try a Special Walnut or an Early American stain (Minwax). Dark Walnut will probably be almost black...

Best bet though, definitely contact Remington first...

[Ruger-Redhawk]

S&R gave you good advice. Before doing anything contact Remington telling them about the factory finish being sticky.Politely ask for a replacement stock or at least if they'll refinish it since it's a factory defect. Of course you'll have to return your old stock and forend to them.You have nothing to lose but a few minutes and a phone call.The way Remington's CS has steadily slipped it might not do any good calling them,but you'll never know unless you try.Best of luck to you.
Ruger Redhawk

[Big Al C]

Thanks for the answers guys. Marty, like you I have gotten a Remington camo stock because I didn't like the feel of the tape or the way it bunched up around the grip area where the greatest curves were. It looks pretty good and will resist moisture, so I will probably try it for a while and see if I can get used to the feel of plastic.

However, I am a traditionalist in many ways and would like to have a decent looking wood stock that I can put back on at some point. S&R, a friend at work who refinishes old military rifles described much the same process as you, and that is probably what I will do. I will try calling Remington first, but I am not going to get my hopes up too much. If they will just tell me what kind of wood and finish I will be satisfied. Then when I wind up with a good looking stock that I did myself I will have more satisfaction because I did it my way. (Just hope I dont butcher it![:@])

Thanks again...