[MIG21]

I figured the question of how to duplicate the Russian Orange/Brown, Red/Brown and Iodine Laminated Wood Finishes would come up sooner or later, I figured I might as well ask piople to post their favorite method of duplicating these Russian Stock finiishes,.So have at it and lets get them on this forum right away.
MIG21

 

[hcpookie]

Been looking hard at ironwooddesigns.com and they have a how-to section for staining the wood here:

http://www.ironwooddesigns.com/1howto.html

I'd like to hear/see the results of anyone's work?

 

[hcpookie]

I've done some searching, and found several mentions of the same product, so I thought I'd post it here.

Several people mention that "garnett shellac (dewaxed)" is a perfect match for the russian shellac

Found here: http://www.shellac.net

It is under the price list > appears to be less than $10 for a 1/2 lb.

 

[GUNMAN181]

I've done some searching, and found several mentions of the same product, so I thought I'd post it here.

Several people mention that "garnett shellac (dewaxed)" is a perfect match for the russian shellac

Found here: http://www.shellac.net

It is under the price list > appears to be less than $10 for a 1/2 lb.

i thought shellac would get all screwed up if it became wet.
not very good for a rifle stock, safe queen maybe

 

[Disconnector]

Talk to Z_Recto over at AK-47.net. He is the MASTER russian lam refinisher.

 

[Carb850]

Talk to Z_Recto over at AK-47.net. He is the MASTER russian lam refinisher.

Agreed. He refinished a Soviet AKM set for me and just completed a RPK set. I should get it back early this week.

 

[Z_recto]

Well, I finally made it over here and have something to add to this thread.
The Russians have a great fondness for shellac .
It is a very easy and quick finish for wood, but not the most durable.
When I refinish Russian laminate (or Ironwood, or Egyptian for that matter)I use my own homemade finish.
I use a tinted shellac.
As I said before, it is not the most durable, but it gives the wood a look that is hard to get with any other finish.

 

[scubadvr]

Well, I finally made it over here and have something to add to this thread.
The Russians have a great fondness for shellac .
It is a very easy and quick finish for wood, but not the most durable.
When I refinish Russian laminate (or Ironwood, or Egyptian for that matter)I use my own homemade finish.
I use a tinted shellac.
As I said before, it is not the most durable, but it gives the wood a look that is hard to get with any other finish.

Welcome aboard, how about some pictures. I for one would like to see some of your work. Jack

 

[Z_recto]

Here are the links to a couple of pics of mbakercad's RPK set I just did for him.

http://img14.photobucket.com/albums/v43/cmepw/Russian Wood/DSC02916.jpg

http://img14.photobucket.com/albums/v43/cmepw/Russian Wood/DSC02917.jpg

BTW, I made the grip as well.

 

[scubadvr]

Now I am really glad you are on board. Perhaps when you have the time you can share some of the build with us. Perhaps take us through a step by step. Thanks Jack

 

[Carb850]

Here are the links to a couple of pics of mbakercad's RPK set I just did for him.

http://img14.photobucket.com/albums/v43/cmepw/Russian Wood/DSC02916.jpg

http://img14.photobucket.com/albums/v43/cmepw/Russian Wood/DSC02917.jpg

BTW, I made the grip as well.

The upper handguard had some ugly pitting going on and one side of the buttstock had some flaws too. He cleaned all that up and look better than new.

I'm just waiting for a decent day to get outside and take some better pics. I'm extremely happy with his work.

 

[Saleen]

Scubadvr,

Since he makes money on the side being one of the few sources for duplicate Russian finishes, that would be akin to shooting himself in the foot. Not too reasonable of an expectation IMHO.

Beautiful stock set Z-Recto!


Saleen

 

[Z_recto]

Saleen is kinda right.
I do not want to post anything for gerenal consumption, but I will help out anyone that wants to try.
The methods that I use are quite easy but the materials are not cheap.
I think that when I first started to experiment with this, I spent about $150+ for everything I needed.
The most expensive part of the setup are the dyes.
I have 5 or 6 2oz. bottles of dye and they run about $15 per bottle, though they do go a long way.
There are cheaper ways to do the Russian finish, but they are not authentic.
They can give a good, close copy, but with as costly as Russian wood is, you may as well do it right.

 

[Z_recto]

BTW, Thanks Saleen.

 

[scubadvr]

BTW, Thanks Saleen.

Sorry, I did not realize. Yea that would be kind of stupid. :sorry: I have no excuse for being a dumb shit (made my quota for the next few months this last week) Jack

 

[Carb850]

I have seen some socksets up for sale advertised as "Iodine finish". Do these literally contain Iodine? They were Soviet AK74 buttstocks with a very dark redish brown color to them.

 

[Z_recto]

I have seen some socksets up for sale advertised as "Iodine finish". Do these literally contain Iodine? They were Soviet AK74 buttstocks with a very dark redish brown color to them.

Well all I can say about that is I do not use any iodine in my finishes.
Iodine is a yellow/brown color especially if diluted like what is generally available in the drugstore.
Now the Russian do use something on there stocks that gives it a particular smell and imparts a slight dullness to the wood, but I have yet to find out what that is.

I am not sure where the iodine moniker came from.

 

[Z_recto]

Sorry, I did not realize. Yea that would be kind of stupid. :sorry: I have no excuse for being a dumb shit (made my quota for the next few months this last week) Jack

Don't beat yourself up too badly.
It doesn't hurt to ask.

I was just thanking him for his compliments of my finishing work.

 

[RLB]

reply

Hey Z_Recto,
I have a Russian stockset I was considering having refinished,
what would the cost to have that done be?

Thanks,
Rick

 

[Z_recto]

Rick,
Shoot me an e-mail with what you want done and I can get you a quote.
Thanks,
Kevin