Refinishing Hogue Stock... If Possible

[StukaJr]

I have a Hogue stock on a heavily customized Mini-14 - I like the stock's functionality plus it's bedded, but I have the way the stock looks plus it doesn't age very gracefully... I'm basically at the stage where even if I fail to get the look I want - it will still look better than what I have now as the stock is becoming the weak link in what's otherwise a kick ass shooter... I live in California so I'm limited in stock selection rather and would rather work with what I have.

I was wondering if someone could point me in the right way to what can be done with rubberized stocks - I'm considering refinishing the surface, re-stippling the ugly pimpley dimples in the grip areas and possibly painting it...

The quiestions I have are... Can the rubber be checkered in the same way as plastic? Is there any way to paint the rubber so it's more or less wear resistant - I have airbrush and masking/painting/sealing experience so I'm not afraid of a lengthy project. Is there a good internet resource that has a step by step stippling tutorial? I would also consider that spray on stuff for truck beds - if it has promise of adhering...

I'll take anything - I may be as lost on this and have nothing but assumptions to work with...

[California Joe]

Man, that's hard. The truck bed stuff is a good idea. It'd probably harden and stiffen your stock. That stuff is amazing but it's like 40 grit sandpaper and probably not cheek friendly. You can buy stippling tools from Brownells. I don't know how well it'd work on rubber though. We used to screen print flexible surfaces with vinyl based inks, that might work for you, they are air dried, smell like cat piss when wet, but very flexible and durable, laquer thinner thins them. Any sign shop supplier would have them.

[Hollis]

CJ brought up Brownells, you might ask them. The other option is contact Hogue and aske them.

[Geezah]

X3 for Brownells, those guys have been a great help when ever I've phoned, even when I didn't purchase anything.

[StukaJr]

Thanks for the replies. I forgot to mention that I don't want to spend too much on this project - researching the cost of truckbed lining quickly removed that option. I can always get an original stock on E-bay, so the Hogue stock is free to screw up.

I'll certainly call Brownell's when and if the time comes to stippling - I have begun by melting off the annoying bump pattern with a heated flathead screwdriver. The rubber burns off rather easily and then I can smooth it out further with some 80 grain sandpaper. The resulting surface feels and acts like a cheap eraser - brushing it with an open flame of a propane torch set on wide seems to smooth the surface close to the original, without the annoying sheen... Flame seems to remove the eraser like quality...

I also assume that if I apply multiple coats with an airbrush by thinning down water based enamel with 60% thinner - misting it in multiple coats of thinned down paint over roughed surfaces should provide adequate adhesion... Sanding and smoothing out with a flame should provide a grainy color - or at least as I envision. If that doesn't hold - I'll try vinyl based inks.

I'll post updated pics as soon as I get it to the stage I'm happy with - I won't mind if this ends up one big failure either :D I like to learn on my own mistakes.

[StukaJr]

Hmmm... Hot screwdriver took care of the bumps and thinned out the rubber - my girlfriend likes the "new smoother and slimmer feel" - she still claims it as a "perfect girl's rifle"... Sand paper to clean up the surface (missed a few spots) and Rustoleum Plastic Primer seemed to stick to the rubber surface pretty well (even the butt-pad). Giving a good 5 days for the primer to cure, used sand colored Camo Paint to paint - the Olive is out of stock everywhere I looked but I figure I test how the paint stands up to the wear before I make any final pattern... Otherwise - pretty stoked it worked to about 67% of my expectations :)

Before:

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/5600/beginningbo3.jpg

WIP:

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/1923/mini1402hu3.jpg

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5326/mini1401bl9.jpg

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/1084/mini1403im1.jpg

Second pic is the most descriptive of the final color the thing ended up in. Look is not to my liking, but the feel of the stock has certainly improved

[Laworkerbee]

I really liked your stock the way it was to be honest. I always felt like I had a good handle on it. It will be interesting to see how it feels now as well as to what color scheme your going to end up with.

My hangover is finally gone :)

[TacoDelRio]

Not bad, Stuka!!!