I have restored the stock of an Yugoslavian SKS rifle, finished with Zinser Bullseye Amber Shellac. The SKS, when fired a lot, will heat up the barrel and gas port tube, which in turn, heats up the wood stock a reasonable amount (warm, but not quite hot, to the touch).
Any suggestions on how long I should wait to allow the finish to cure (5 light coats) before allowing it to get warm in a shooting session?
How long between coats, what cut (lbs of shellac/gallon alcohol) and how was it applied (rub on, brush, foam brush, spray)? If you're impatient and apply coats as soon as the previous one "feels" dry (not tacky) the alcohol from the previous coat may not have evaporated completely. Next coat slows the evaporation of the first coat etc.. Heavier cuts seem to take a little longer than light cuts. Rub on dries very quickly and goes on very thin so each coat doesn't need much time before the next coat goes on. If applied with a foam brush you get a little heavier application than with a fine bristle brush so it takes longer to get hard.
Unless you're competing in less than a week I'd give it a week before normal handling, wear and tear and, in this case, heat
BTW - my local Ace Hardware store carries rotten stone in the paint area. Might just be my local store - they carry all kinds of stuff you definitely won't find at The Borg.
charlie b
T> How long between coats, what cut (lbs of shellac/gallon alcohol) and
Thanks, charlie. It is 3lb. cut straight from the can. I didn't wait long between coats. Some a few hours, some overnight. Brushed on, did my best to keep each coat light.
I got the Zinser at the local Ace. I head there anytime I want a better selection of finishing materials. I used auto rubbing comound for the final rubbing.
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