AK-47 Project - Furniture Stain (Pics) **UPDATED WITH FINAL**

Awesome.

What was the general process?

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.

Do you know anything about the Chinese made SKS rifles? Are they clones of the AKs?

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Do you know anything about the Chinese made SKS rifles? Are they clones of the AKs?

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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

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.

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. Most SKS have a hinged magazine

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It is a wrestling match dealing with this. I'll try to shoot you guys a pic of what I have.

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I'm trying to decide if I want to stain my furniture or not. I like the rough/rugged look to it.

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Unless you go with a really thick, glossy finish it will still keep that rugged look.

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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)

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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.

Very cool j5, we need to go to my grandfathers and unleash hell on the hog population.