Parkers and Timberluxe..

[Jerry VanHorn]

For the past few months I have been attempting some of my own work. Wood refinishing is usually on the list. I've tried different things..but using a modern formula to get a vintage finish never made sense. I met Brian Board 20 years ago at Tulsa. He stocked a Parker 16 for me and worked on other projects since..I knew that in the mid-80s he started with Herschel Chadick on high grade projects..and then with Don Criswell stocking Grand American 21s. So... I had to try his formula..I've done 3 stocks..and Timberluxe is perfect for a correct finish on Parkers. His combination of finish and stain..both right from the container..is foolproof if you follow the instructions.Brian is a true craftsman..and his work..and Timberluxe can't be faulted..

[Dean Romig]

Haven't tried it yet Jerry but I hear all good things about the stuff - I've seen his work though and it is top notch in every way!





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[Tom Flanigan]

I like Timberlux. I don't use it to fill the pores using the mud process though. This takes a lot of finish and Timberlux is too expensive for this. I use Tung oil which works well and then finish up with Timberlux when the pores are filled. I know of no advantage of using Timberlux for pore filling vs. the much cheaper Tung oil.

[Jerry VanHorn]

Forgot about this...When my friend told me about Timberluxe..I went on YouTube and watched the videos..Tells you everything about the product and application...

[Rick Riddell]

I love it, it gave me a nice flat finish, pores are still there but that’s what I was looking for. Best part I have had no experience doing any wood finishing.

[Jerry VanHorn]

This is a spare VH "O" frame stock that I stripped and finished with Timberluxe..next to an original 1921 VH 16 stock.One thing about Timberluxe...the finish is started with about 3 coats of the formula..THEN..the walnut stain is added ..a little..or more..depends on what you want..Then 3-4 final coats..

[Dean Romig]

I love Bertram boats!

Which stock is the original?





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[Jerry VanHorn]

Dean..Merger Magic is a '72 Bertram that is owned by a friend. It is a full restoration..and amazing..if you like boats..The "merger" part is how he affords it..His Captain is also a friend..and captains his other boat too...A tuna boat.. up in your neck of the woods. I didn't intentionally leave out the.."which is original"..but you make a good point..Lets see what the consensus from the Forum is.."Which is Timberluxe " ?..

[Brian Dudley]

Based on the surface marking on the lower stock, I would vote that one as the original. The datker shade of the upper looks like it could have been the Timberluxe stain (which is a great product).

[Mark Ray]

Top original, bottom TL, based on tha i believe you would have addressed the round stain when adding finish

[Jerry VanHorn]

A closer look..

[Jerry VanHorn]

The top stock is the Timberluxe. The dark part at the butt is grain in wood..and a little shadow..The second picture shows it better..You can adjust for how much gloss you want..and how dark..or light..you like the finished stock..hard to beat.. jv...

[Tom Flanigan]

Timberlux is very good. I have done three stocks with it and I think I like it a bit better than Tru Oil, but I don't know if I'm being totally objective. I'm trying to be but its hard when looking at your own work. My point is that the difference between the two products, in my opinion, is so small that it is hard for me to objectively tell the difference. You can get any type of finish with either. But I always strive to have the same amount of gloss that original Parker finish guns have. I have a benchmark gun that I always use for comparison. Parker stocks are not satin finish by any means, at least not those done by the shellac and oil method. I have never seen an original optional oil finish stock, so I can't comment about them.


In my opinion, the only criteria for determining the quality of a finished stock is to view it side by side with a lightly used original finish gun. If it is a close match, then you've done a good job no matter what product you used. Matching Parker finishes as closely as possible should always be the goal.

[Chuck Bishop]

The best way to produce a Parker finish is to use Shellac. That's what they used the majority of the time.

[Dean Romig]

Or French Polish as Austin often recommended, which is shellac based.





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[Chuck Bishop]

French polish is just shellac with linspeed oil used as a lubricant so the shellac won't stick when being applied with the pad. Google Luthiers and see how it's done. Dries almost immediately and you can apply booco layers in a day. Also easy to fix if you screw up.

[Tom Flanigan]

I've considered the shellac and oil method. Thats how Parker did stocks and so it seems the logical choice of method. But shellac and oil is a harder finish and can chip with a lot of use and sometimes not so much use. I've had to repair original Parker stocks that had chipped. I just finished fixing the stock on a PH 80% original gun. So I long ago chose to go with Tru Oil or Linspeed and now Timberlux. I can mimic original Parker finish very closely with any of those products.