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Message
AK-47 Project - Furniture Stain (Pics) **UPDATED WITH FINAL**
Posted on 4/15/11 at 12:36 am
Posted on 4/15/11 at 12:36 am
I recently purchased a Romanian AK-47 clone - the WASR-10/63 (Century International Arms). I decided to stain the furniture, and I wanted to share the progress.
I'm sure a lot of you are very familiar with this weapon, but I thought maybe a few of you would be interested in more than just the stocks, so I've photographed the entire process.
Here is a link to the entire album, and below are a few highlights of what has been done so far:
Original "before" pic:
The steel wool, stain and sealant:
Most of the gun taken apart - spring assembly, gas block, bolt, etc:
Unfinished furniture:
Stained buttstock:
Comparison of TAPCO polymer mag and original steel mag:
FINAL PRODUCT:
I attached a simple red dot optic. I bought this one more for the mount than the scope.
I know the iron sights are just fine for center mass at most distances, but I got carried away.
Anyway, peace.
I'm sure a lot of you are very familiar with this weapon, but I thought maybe a few of you would be interested in more than just the stocks, so I've photographed the entire process.
Here is a link to the entire album, and below are a few highlights of what has been done so far:
Original "before" pic:
The steel wool, stain and sealant:
Most of the gun taken apart - spring assembly, gas block, bolt, etc:
Unfinished furniture:
Stained buttstock:
Comparison of TAPCO polymer mag and original steel mag:
FINAL PRODUCT:
I attached a simple red dot optic. I bought this one more for the mount than the scope.
I know the iron sights are just fine for center mass at most distances, but I got carried away.
Anyway, peace.
This post was edited on 4/16/11 at 10:37 am
Posted on 4/15/11 at 12:51 am to Big Data
Awesome.
What was the general process?
What was the general process?
Posted on 4/15/11 at 7:57 am to USMCTiger03
I did mine a few months ago as well. I didn't go the tung oil route though, just used a minwax stain/poly. Came out pretty good but I'm definitely curious to see yours with tung oil. Have fun getting that top hand guard back on the gas tube! haha
This post was edited on 4/15/11 at 8:23 am
Posted on 4/15/11 at 8:14 am to USMCTiger03
It is basically four steps:
1. Take down -
This one is obvious, but I do want to add that it's important to strip off the factory layer of substance on the wood.
I would use a "fine" steel wool to get that top layer off or your stain/sealant will not absord into the wood. I would recommend against any sandpaper as it just strips off too much wood.
2. Stain -
In my case, I chose to use a Red Oak stain. This process actually takes a day per coat, so two days for me. I really wanted a rich wood color and not a "looks like a stain" color, if that makes sense at all.
3. Seal -
I used Tung Oil for this. I've seen others use everything from lacquers to deck sealers. This is just an important step to preserve the wood.
For this step, I chose to do three coats, so it took three days of drying (mandatory 12 hours per coat). I went with a low gloss, so that I didn't have the shiny stock look.
I wanted to improve the aesthetics a tad, but I figure it is an AK afterall; it should be a little rough around the edges.
A special note: hit it with the steel wool after each coat before the last, so that you get a smooth finish.
4. Reassembly -
This gun has simple parts and a simple structure. It is a piece of cake to take down and put back together. Some of the wood may have "loosened" during the stain soaking steps, so fitting may be tighter.
1. Take down -
This one is obvious, but I do want to add that it's important to strip off the factory layer of substance on the wood.
I would use a "fine" steel wool to get that top layer off or your stain/sealant will not absord into the wood. I would recommend against any sandpaper as it just strips off too much wood.
2. Stain -
In my case, I chose to use a Red Oak stain. This process actually takes a day per coat, so two days for me. I really wanted a rich wood color and not a "looks like a stain" color, if that makes sense at all.
3. Seal -
I used Tung Oil for this. I've seen others use everything from lacquers to deck sealers. This is just an important step to preserve the wood.
For this step, I chose to do three coats, so it took three days of drying (mandatory 12 hours per coat). I went with a low gloss, so that I didn't have the shiny stock look.
I wanted to improve the aesthetics a tad, but I figure it is an AK afterall; it should be a little rough around the edges.
A special note: hit it with the steel wool after each coat before the last, so that you get a smooth finish.
4. Reassembly -
This gun has simple parts and a simple structure. It is a piece of cake to take down and put back together. Some of the wood may have "loosened" during the stain soaking steps, so fitting may be tighter.
This post was edited on 4/15/11 at 8:17 am
Posted on 4/15/11 at 8:48 am to Big Data
I'm trying to decide if I want to stain my furniture or not. I like the rough/rugged look to it.
Posted on 4/15/11 at 8:48 am to Big Data
Do you know anything about the Chinese made SKS rifles? Are they clones of the AKs?
Posted on 4/15/11 at 8:54 am to mikeytig
SKS =/= AK
They both shoot 7.62x39 but are totally different rifles. Most SKS have a hinged magazine unless they were modified.
They both shoot 7.62x39 but are totally different rifles. Most SKS have a hinged magazine unless they were modified.
Posted on 4/15/11 at 9:03 am to mikeytig
quote:
Do you know anything about the Chinese made SKS rifles? Are they clones of the AKs?
For the most part the AK replaced the SKS.
SKS is an older weapon, debuted in 1945. The AK47 hit the market in 1947 and quickly phased out the SKS as it was a superior weapon. The main difference is that the SKS doesn't have a detachable magazine. (although the ones on the market now have been alted to accept ak mags)
They are similar; accept the same rounds (7.62X39) and pretty much both used by the same countries, but are different firearms.
SKS
AK
Posted on 4/15/11 at 9:24 am to Slickback
Yeah, I went back-and-worth on whether or not I wanted to. In the end, I figured "why not" - I can always just buy another stock if I don't like it.
It was a fun little experiment. I'm a man of simple pleasures.
It was a fun little experiment. I'm a man of simple pleasures.
Posted on 4/15/11 at 9:30 am to Big Data
I'm figuring on keeping mine as is. Eventually I'd like to buy a Russian model and on that one I'll probably re-stain.
Posted on 4/15/11 at 9:40 am to Slickback
Arsenal makes some damn fine synthetic stocked AKs
Posted on 4/15/11 at 9:46 am to bayoudude
quote:
. Most SKS have a hinged magazine
It is a wrestling match dealing with this. I'll try to shoot you guys a pic of what I have.
Posted on 4/15/11 at 9:50 am to mikeytig
I could really kick myself in the arse for not buying a crate of sks's when they were $69 each.
Posted on 4/15/11 at 9:53 am to Slickback
quote:
I'm trying to decide if I want to stain my furniture or not. I like the rough/rugged look to it.
Unless you go with a really thick, glossy finish it will still keep that rugged look.
Posted on 4/15/11 at 10:11 am to gmrkr5
Did your gun also not come with a cleaning rod? I find that very odd for some reason. I ordered one just to give it a "complete" look.
Posted on 4/15/11 at 10:13 am to Slickback
quote:
The main difference is that the SKS doesn't have a detachable magazine. (although the ones on the market now have been alted to accept ak mags)
My Yugo SKS had the stock hinged floor plate. I took the stock off (and replaced with a composite tapco stock) which gives easy access to the plate. Simply remove the plate by lifting out and replace with a tapco SKS mag. I tried the cheap metal ones but they just would not fit well and would cause the rounds to jam. Supposedly I have to keep the bayonett on it so it remains a curio too.
Posted on 4/15/11 at 10:16 am to Big Data
quote:
Did your gun also not come with a cleaning rod? I find that very odd for some reason. I ordered one just to give it a "complete" look.
No, mine didn't either but I had one laying around that came from another AK. I don't understand why century gives you all the other surplus stuff but no cleaning rod, the one thing you may actually need.
Posted on 4/15/11 at 10:52 am to gmrkr5
Very cool j5, we need to go to my grandfathers and unleash hell on the hog population.
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