Romy RPK Stock Color??

[2ndAmendican]

Just picked up a Romy RPK kit from Apex, and I'd like to try and get the stock clor as close to original as I can. Does anyone have a tested/proven procedure for getting the correct color for the Romy stocks? I have done a BUNCH of stocks, but I have always given mine a bit more of a "Russian Red" look. I have that procedure down pat, but I haven't tried to reproduce the color of the Romy's yet. Thanks in advance for any help/guidance.

[2ndAmendican]

Well, since no one replied, I went with a very light sanding and applied my regular reddish stain, but immediately wiped it off, instead of allowing it an hour to really penetrate. It looks good so far, and appears to be pretty close to the original color. Tonight I'm gonna put some Minnwax sating poly on it and see what I've got. If it looks like it will be good, then I'll put several coats of poly, with 600 grit sanding between coats. The process I've been using for years comes out beautiful. Deep, deep, deep luster on the finish. Almost too pretty to be on an AK. LOL.

[Coils]

Yeah I can't believe no one replied

I looked at my kit but the finish is so grimy it's hard to tell what it should look like

[4thIDvet]

Tough to call on stains or colors.. Really a matter of choice..
Put a pict. up. Guys will give their opinions..
A real AK, not a closet AK..
Should be dragged behind a truck, soaked in salt water for a week, dunked in mud.. Left hanging in a tree to dry..
That is what most all AKs in third world hands look like..
Only in America do we work hard, to make them a piece of art.
Bring it down here. I will show you how to put a finish on that weapon..
Still hold the world record toss, 110 feet 7 inches.. Undefeated for 5 straight years now..

[sjohnson]

My Romanian AKs have wood finishes that vary between reddish brown and brownish red.

I'd bet the Romanians, not having a lot of money, bought the cheapest shellac available in bulk. This would be seed lac. From Buy Dewaxed & Waxy Shellac Flakes - Discount Pricing

The natural seedlac color is influenced by the sap consumed by the lac bug & the season of harvest.

shellac.net has two varieties that sound like colors similar to what I've seen on Romanian stocks: Bysakhi Seed Lac (rich warm brown) and Thai Seed Lac (rich warm red amber tone).

I don't know of any single "way" of finishing a Romanian stock because I don't think there's any single color that prevailed.

[4thIDvet]

Stripping the shellac off the Romy's, you almost need 10 gallons of bleach and a belt grinder..
Was wondering what they used..
Damn. That stuff is almost bullet proof..

[2ndAmendican]

Thanks guys. Yeah I wound up cleaning the stocks and giving them a very light sanding, and applied my own red formula. I didn't leave it on but a second though. I was only trying to mimic the look of what still had a shellac oover it. Touch up just the areas that were partially bare. Let that dry over night, and now all areas appear to be pretty close in color. Not enough to really tell much difference. Then I applied the first of many coats of Minnwax satin poly. Looks really good so far. Should turn out pretty nice. Don't have pics right now, but it's like a medium to dark brownish with just a hint of red.


4th, one of these days i'm gonna come down and take a shot at the record. LOL.

[gunnysmith]

Didn't see this till now.
Here's an original as new stock set for the RPK

[2ndAmendican]

Damn that is a beautiful stock set Gunnysmith!!! Thanks for posting that. Yeah theirs has a little more orange color to the stain.

[sjohnson]

The Romanian stocks vary in color. *That* RPK stock has some orange in it, but I've seen Romanian RPK stocks that look a brownish ruby red. And other shades, too!

I really don't think there's a standard color for the finish. That's good news for a refinisher. As long as you're close, it's done "right".

APEX' picture: