Surface Finish on Repos

[Richard Dow]

What is the surface finish on repos? Your suggestion for removal to get to stain?

[John Campbell]

Richard:
While I don't know what your goal is, if it's to darken/recolour the wood, there are stains that will penetrate most stock finishes to do the job. One is Pilkington's from Brownells -- in various colours. But sorry, I have no idea what they put on those stocks.

[Richard Dow]

I have refinished stocks before and I'm looking at a nice repo that I would like to darken/red'n. a little. Walnut on it leans a little to yellow. It has intact original repo finish.

[Richard Dow]

Found out its poly.

[Dean Romig]

That's right, it is 'poly' and no stain will penetrate that stuff - is is almost bullet proof.

[Richard Dow]

Thanks Dean. I would have it professionally stripped.

[Brian Dudley]

Urithane finishes are tough. Enough soaking in MEK will soften or remove some of it. They are all different as to how stubborn they can be, but usually it takes some scraping or sanding to get it all off.
Just a note about the color of a stock when using oil vs. a urithane. I have found that usually a stock finished with urithane will be lighter in color than if it is finished with an oil. This is because urithane finishes will sit on the surface more vs. an oil will penetrate the wood deeper which gives a darker color.
Every stock that I have refinished in oil, which was originally urithane, has been significantly darker in color. And in my opinion, better looking.

[Richard Dow]

Thanks BD. I appreciate your comments.