Thread: Wood scale oil?

So I'm making my first set of scales for a project. The scales are maple. What do you guys recommend I treat the wood with? Do I stain first and then treat the wood? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Freddie

Stain first then clear coat it with something like polyurethane or CA. Unless your after the look of raw wood, then skip step one.

Stains come in a endless variety of colors. You can even just use linseed oil, or tung oil. The choice is up to you on that one. I would try out some samples on scrap stock to see what ones appeal to you before getting anywhere near them with stain. Once its there, its always gonna be there.

I think for a first project, tung oil is the ideal solution. Easy to do, not as fussy as a CA finish. Get one razor done and see how you like the whole process, then go for the advanced topics. You can always superglue your second set of scales to your hand or the carpet...

Minwax makes a 1 part stain/sealer in a lot of finishes. I used one (dark maple); did 2 or 3 coats..can't remember exactly on a refinish job. Perfect. Easy and durable. Good looking too

All I do is wood scales.
Your best bet for maple will be to use a gun stock finish called tru oil. You can stain beforehand or go with a natural look. The finish will darken the wood by itself.
Here's a couple pics of scales I finshed in tru oil, with no stain.

Outback,
I have a bottle Tru-Oil already, I'll try it out. Thank you....Freddie

Originally Posted by MisterClean

Outback,
I have a bottle Tru-Oil already, I'll try it out. Thank you....Freddie

It does take a bit of time to build the layers up. But the results are well worth the wait. [emoji6]

Originally Posted by MisterClean

So I'm making my first set of scales for a project. The scales are maple. What do you guys recommend I treat the wood with? Do I stain first and then treat the wood? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Freddie

Maple's a cool looking wood. How thick are your scales?

While I've been at this age old art for awhile I've never made a set of scales that I've been happy with. I know that while they need to be thin so that they will flex there is always a point of diminishing return.

I will have to try that oil outback! I Have been using minwax and it works fine but I am looking for that extra shine like you achieved.

Originally Posted by Ernie1980

I will have to try that oil outback! I Have been using minwax and it works fine but I am looking for that extra shine like you achieved.

You'll love what it does for wood.
Really brings out the grain and natural colors of wood. And a extremely durable finsh and impervious to water. Hey... It was made for gun stocks.

Mike