If this is the wrong forum, please redirect. I have been reading about the use of automotive top coat/clear coat for finishing stocks. I have done the Tru Oil thing and it works great but I dont like the ambering which changes the color of laminate. It made my gray/black laminate look green. Finish is great and it is easy to work with but dont like the color change.

Regular lacquer is an option but not sure about the durability. Alot of stocks are finished this way but I think it is product with a hardner in it. The automotive product sounds interesting since it is an exterior finish. Also it seems like it would be handy to procure in a spray can. Anybody used the automotive product? If so what do you think?

Have you looked at the polyurethane products out there? There are many very servicable brands in spray cans that don't yellow or change finish color, and you can put either a hard gloss or a satin finish on the stock, depending on how you want the outcome. Been using it for years with great success with some final finish modifications that I personally like. It's good stuff.

If I don't oil finish I use SPAR urethane it is for boats .Ought to be good enough for a gun.

I have searched for poly products but have yet to find one that is not somewhat amber, except for the water based products which will not work on a stock. WHich ones are you taking about?

I've never used it, but a friend of mine who was a great auto body man used to spray rifle stocks with automotive lacquer. He has a couple rifles he sprayed probably 20 years ago and they still look great.

What I use is called Minwax "HELMSMAN" Spar urethane.It is in a green spray can ,Or you can get it by the pint or quart .Sometimes I use an airbrush to do stocks .works pretty good.I usually get mine at lowes.

Swampdog, what do you use to strip off the old finish I am restoring An old Ruger Varmint and this is my first stock re-finishing any help would be appreciated thanks chad

I have not re-finished any high end walnut yet .Just acouple of Rem.788s and an old single shot .22 that my father -in law gave my son I just use regular paint stripper to get the poly coat off .( I am assuming that yours has that finish) repeat the process untill satisfied.Then I start the sanding.I tried to start wth the 120 grit.But you might as well save your time and start with the 50 grit.You will end up going back over it anyway .The 120 wont take out the deeper scratches.You can take a Dremel and clean up the barrel channel CAREFULLY.I usually finish up with 400 or 600 grit.How good and smooth the wood gets depends on how much you want to sand.The Minwax Red Mahogany stain gives a nice color finish .

The last several guns I refinished I also used Helmsman spar urethane. Also got it a Lowes. Green can. Made by Minwax. Just out of the sake of curiosity, last night I took a piece of white paper and sprayed half with the Helmsman and let it dry. I also did the same with some spray Tru-Oil I had on hand. Wile the Helmsman gave only a slight darkening to the paper, the Tru-Oil produced a much darker color. Attached is a picture or two of a Model 71 Winchester I recently restocked and finished with the Helmsman.

Pictures courtesy of camera phone----usual quality....