Wood stocks

• 1). Unload the rifle and take it to a well-ventilated work area.
  
  
• 2). Use sandpaper to remove old varnish from the rifle stock. Sand until the wood appears dull. Use a sticky tack cloth to wipe the sawdust from the stock.
  
  
• 3). Protectthe portions of the rifle you don't want stained, using painter's tape. Put the gun on top of a fabric drop cloth.
  
  
• 4). Apply oil-based stain to the rifle stock, using a paintbrush made for use with oil-based paint. Wait two hours for the stain to dry. Add more coats if a darker look is desired.
  
  
• 5). Wash the paintbrush with mineral spirits.
  
  
• 6). Wait 24 hours. Apply varnish to the stained stock, using the clean paintbrush. Wait 6 hours before handling the rifle stock.
  
  

Synthetic stocks

• 1). Unload the rifle and take it to a well-ventilated work area.
  
  
• 2). Promote adhesion by abrading the synthetic rifle stock with sandpaper. Scour the rifle stock until it feels slightly coarse.
  
  
• 3). Protect portions of the rifle you don't want stained, using painter's tape. Put the gun on top of a fabric drop cloth.
  
  
• 4). Apply oil-based spray primer to the rifle stock. Hold the can 8 inches from the surface as you apply. Wait two hours for the primer to dry.
  
  
• 5). Apply oil-based enamel to the rifle stock. Hold the can 8 inches from the surface as you apply. Wait 2 hours for the enamel to dry. Wait 8 hours before handling the stock.