Post by thunderw21 on Feb 22, 2014 18:39:27 GMT -5
Having found no available wooden stock sets for my King Arms M1A1 Thompson, I decided to to the next best thing. Using this thread as a guide, I took the existing plastic stock and modified it to my liking.
As the linked thread states, Minwax gel stain works great on the plastic stock since it actually is able to dry. I chose the Walnut color since I wanted a dark look to my stock set.
I first removed the stock from the gun along with as many of the stock accessories as possible. I then sanded down the entire stock, especially the seams. After that I cleaned off the dust and scarred up the stock with a knife and screwdriver. Once satisfied with that I applied the stain in a single, even, somewhat thick coat. This was allowed to dry until somewhat tacky. Then I took a piece of paper towel and, with one corner dipped in the gel stain, I lightly rubbed the tacky stock. This created the uneven texture on the stock by pulling tiny fibers off the paper towel with the tacky stain on the stock. This helps make the stock appear abused, as if the finish has been well used. It also create the appearance of a grain. It's difficult to explain, but looks great in person. The photos below will help.
After all that I let it dry for about 1 to 1.5 days. When completely dry I wiped it down with a damp towel to remove any excess paper towel fibers from the stain.
Then I had a finished stock set that looks like well used wood pieces. The whole process from stock removal to completely dry and reinstalled took about 2 days with roughly 1.5 of those days waiting for it to dry. No doubt this process could be used on plastic stocks to any other gun too. Check 'em out (sorry for the bad pics, they don't do the stock set justice).
As the linked thread states, Minwax gel stain works great on the plastic stock since it actually is able to dry. I chose the Walnut color since I wanted a dark look to my stock set.
I first removed the stock from the gun along with as many of the stock accessories as possible. I then sanded down the entire stock, especially the seams. After that I cleaned off the dust and scarred up the stock with a knife and screwdriver. Once satisfied with that I applied the stain in a single, even, somewhat thick coat. This was allowed to dry until somewhat tacky. Then I took a piece of paper towel and, with one corner dipped in the gel stain, I lightly rubbed the tacky stock. This created the uneven texture on the stock by pulling tiny fibers off the paper towel with the tacky stain on the stock. This helps make the stock appear abused, as if the finish has been well used. It also create the appearance of a grain. It's difficult to explain, but looks great in person. The photos below will help.
After all that I let it dry for about 1 to 1.5 days. When completely dry I wiped it down with a damp towel to remove any excess paper towel fibers from the stain.
Then I had a finished stock set that looks like well used wood pieces. The whole process from stock removal to completely dry and reinstalled took about 2 days with roughly 1.5 of those days waiting for it to dry. No doubt this process could be used on plastic stocks to any other gun too. Check 'em out (sorry for the bad pics, they don't do the stock set justice).
