How much stock oil?

**pikkewyn** · 22-03-2012, 10:59

So finally got my card and collected my near mint condition lee enfield no4 mk2 .303 rifle. The rifle is still full stock. When I collected it I saw the stock was light in colour and the person behind the counter advised me that the stock might be dried out and that I must oil it. I Bought a 50ml bottle lite oil (can't recall the name now) which will not stain or darken the wood. Before I oiled the stock gave it a good rub off with steel wool and when smooth I started oiling. After a week of rubbing oil in every night, I've used 3/4 of the bottle and the wood is still soaking it up like a park bum do with a papsak. Is there a limit or should I just keep applying until it stays wet on the outside and then wipe it down?

**Scuba Steve** · 22-03-2012, 11:17

firstly, I hate you. :)

Cant wait for my original military guise N04Mk2.

It could have stood for a very long time, keep oiling it utill you are happy that it has soaked up enough, if it is that dry on the outside I would suggest also removing the stock and applying oil on the inside where it is inletted for the barrel and the receiver, this will ensure it is protected from all sides.

congrats on a great rifle!

**pikkewyn** · 22-03-2012, 11:45

thanks Steve. I noted that the wood did get a bit darker after the oiling. I'll post some pics here later.

**Crafty** · 22-03-2012, 13:00

Another Method you can use what they do with new stocks. Start with parifin oil. It is thinner so absorb quickly. Put it on thick. then wrap it in gladwrap. let it stand in the sun for a day. At night, give it a good and proper rubbing.
Repeat next day. Do this 2 or 3 times.
Then finally, do the same thing, but use tru-oil. once or twice is fine.

**pikkewyn** · 22-03-2012, 14:29

the oil i used is ballistol balsin stockoil. it feels as if there is alcohol in it as it is quite thin and cool to the touch in open air.http://www.ballistol.de/index.php?ar...id=103&clang=1

**Dick** · 08-04-2012, 21:47

It takes a lot to dry the oil out of a military stock. Its usually the opposite problem, you want to refinish it but can't stop it bleeding oil. Those military stocks were soaked in vats of oil so they were utterly saturated. It was linseed oil, well known to gunsmiths as bad news for stock finishing because it never dries. Usually, you can stand them in the sun every warm day the rest of your life and never stop cleaning off the oil that leaks out. In fact doing just that, or wrapping in tinfoil and warming them in an oven (if you can fit them in) is a standard technique of getting out at least enough of the oil to refinish respectably with something like Tru-oil.

**driepootx** · 08-04-2012, 21:56

I have treated my shotgun with boiled linseed oil (London oil) and it has created a wonderful finish. In the rain it was waterproof and not a mark appeared.

**Dick** · 09-04-2012, 20:18

Originally Posted by driepootx

I have treated my shotgun with boiled linseed oil (London oil) and it has created a wonderful finish. In the rain it was waterproof and not a mark appeared.

There's a difference between raw and boiled linseed oil. Military stocks were done with the raw variety. It never dries.