Maintaining A Hand Rubbed Oil Finish Gun Stock: Caesar Guerini shotguns

All Caesar Guerini shotguns have a beautiful hand rubbed oil finish on the gun stock. With a small amount of care and feeding, your Caesar Guerini oil finished stock will last a very long time. In this video, we share some tips and best practices on how to do this. However, this video is intended for adding oil to maintain your stock finish and keeping it looking great for many years of service. It is not intended for complete refinishing and major stock repairs. If at any time you do not feel comfortable handling this work yourself, we do offer professional refinishing services by our Caesar Guerini USA gunsmiths to assist in this matter. If we can be of service, please contact us at GueriniUSA.com or in the U.S. by calling 410-901-1131.
If you would like to learn about adding an additional layer of protection to your gunstock by waxing it, please see our follow-up video here for those instructions: • Wax Protection For You...
To learn more about Caesar Guerini shotguns, please visit our website at GueriniUSA.com
/// WOOD MAINTENANCE KIT ///
All of the products used in maintaining your hand rubbed oil stocks are readily available at most hardware stores. However, we do sell a Wood Maintenance Kit on our web store should anyone need it. This is not a sales pitch, just a link for your convenience. gueriniusa.com/product/wood-f...
/// CLEANING & PREP OF THE STOCK ///
Wipe it down with a damp (not wet) cloth first, the temperature is irrelevant. Then wipe it down vigorously with a soft cotton cloth making sure the surface is clean, dry, and free of debris. In most cases, this should be sufficient.
/// SCRATCHES AND DENT REMOVAL ///
This video is intended for adding oil to maintain your stock finish and keeping it looking great for many years of service. It is not intended for complete refinishing and major stock repairs. Please note that repairing dents and scratches are done at your own risk. If at any time you do not feel comfortable handling this work yourself, we do offer professional refinishing services by our Caesar Guerini USA gunsmiths to assist in this matter. If we can be of service, please contact us. There is a complete list of our "Custom Shop" services available at gueriniusa.com/custom-shop/
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Thank you for your interest.

[@scotthoward8437]

These how to’s are great; keep them coming! Love my CG and these videos are great to know what you guys recommend and how to do it all properly. Keep up the good work!

[@GueriniUSA]

Thank you! Glad you like them!

[@dongrundy8702]

The best Master Gunsmith in the Shotgun industry. Another great video Andrew! Thank you from Bad Oscar Shooting Sports

[@robertpeugh7479]

Thanks for your video. You have a natural relaxed style on camera. I used your technique on my grade 3 walnut o/u stock and it really made the natural grain pop and looks soooo gooood!

[@GueriniUSA]

Glad to help

[@Eddyfromremaxltd]

Great video, looking to acquire my first gun with AAA grade walnut stock and this video has helped me get over the maintainer aspect of it 😁😁

[@brandonplattner]

Great Video, Thanks for making this informative video! Keep up the Great Work!!!

[@GueriniUSA]

Thanks, will do!

[@richardseifert7788]

Great video and answers a lot of questions. Great timing too, as I obtained my Magnus Sporting the same month the video was shot. Recently noticed some wear on the comb and added some finish...presto! Its my dream gun!!

[@GueriniUSA]

Enjoy that dream gun Richard and thank you!

[@lindarobey570]

Thank you. Great explanation. Easy to follow.

[@GueriniUSA]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheStuartYork]

Excellent, thank you Andrew. Very helpful. Stuart

[@GueriniUSA]

Very welcome

[@BYGRACE80]

I'd love to have a magnus sporter. Guerini make such beautiful guns!!

[@GueriniUSA]

Thanks!

[@sergebastion4626]

Great video. A true professional!

[@GueriniUSA]

Thank you, we do our best

[@anthonylandino7709]

CLEANING & PREP OF THE STOCK: Wipe it down with a damp (not wet) cloth first. Then wipe it down vigorously with a soft cotton cloth making sure the surface is clean, dry, and free of debris. In most cases, this should be sufficient.

[@user-kh9jr8le1c]

Great video!! can i use CCL GUNSTOCK CONDITIONING OIL with the same technique?

[@ImHungryMK]

thanks bud

[@11355JOHN]

Glad to see this as I have struggled in trying to touch up my stocks in the past. Can you provide any specifics relate to the stock prep such as using steel wool, alcohol, etc. to clean the surface?

[@GueriniUSA]

Hi John, we've added some additional details to the video description to assist you with cleaning and prep. Please check that out and if you have any questions please feel free to give us a call.

[@jwilson7943]

You mentioned the stock was already cleaned before you started the process with the BLO. I would have liked to see that process also. What do you use or what do you recommend for weekly cleaning after use and a deep cleaning before treating with BLO?

[@GueriniUSA]

Thank you for the feedback. We've added some additional details to the video description to help you with cleaning and prep. Wipe it down with a damp (not wet) cloth first. Then wipe it down vigorously with a soft cotton cloth making sure the surface is clean, dry, and free of debris. In most cases, this should be sufficient. If you have other questions we can help you with, please feel free to give us a call.

[@JorgeSantos-nl8he]

Very nice finish! It looks easy and pratical! If i want to give a oil finish to a gun stock,after removing the varnish finish,can i apply the oil(linsead or tru oli) on the checkering?? Thanks, Jorge

[@GueriniUSA]

It's likely, but this may require some professional refinishing work

[@JorgeSantos-nl8he]

@@GueriniUSA thanks!

[@piersmarchington]

Great video. I was under the impression Caesar guerini use a lacquer type finish? I was told to just use wood wax not an oil on my Caesar ? Thanks

[@GueriniUSA]

Caesar Guerini shotguns have a hand rubbed oil finish as described in the video, however, you can apply wax for added protection as we cover in the follow-up video linked here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epDQq4GEnpxmfrc

[@jimballard7023]

Andrew, nice video. Does Guerini stain or dye the stocks before applying the linseed oil? I had to lightly sand an area and when I applied the oil, that area was not as dark as the rest of the stock. I planned to simply get a medium walnut color. Thanks for your help.

[@GueriniUSA]

Hi Jim, we do not stain or dye stocks before oil is applied. By nature, oil will darken over time and with exposure. Having sanded through the finish and applied fresh oil, the spot will be lighter than the rest of the stock until it has had adequate time and exposure to darken again.

[@barbarablanchard17]

Thank you for the informative video! Do you recommend applying a coat of linseed oil on newly purchased CG's, or should I wait for a period of time?

[@GueriniUSA]

Likely it's not needed if the gun is brand new as it has our factory hand rubbed on the stock already. If used, it may need a coat.

[@vincentconti6416]

I don't see the additional details re: cleaning and prep of the stock wood. Can you help?? Also, can the Borchwood Casey Try Oil product be used in lieu of boiled linseed oil? (I have a bottle of this.) Thank you!

[@GueriniUSA]

Hi Vincent, cleaning and stock prep details are in the video description along with some additional info you may find helpful. Regarding the oil products, any oil based wood finish that you prefer would be suitable. If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to give us a call and talk to one of our gunsmiths 410-901-1131.

[@buttheyreinvestmentsdear3132]

Hello, I’ve just bought a Forum with, what looks like, polyurethane finish. The previous owner was quite wealthy and had a habit of not looking after his guns. So the stock has a deep scratch and some knocks to the finish. It is such a beautiful gun I was going to take it to the local gunsmith to see if he could strip off the damaged finish and oil the stock. Some of the videos on KZbin look a bit too brutal when using solvents to remove the finish. Would it be better to sand off the finish and would one of your stocks finished in polyurethane be suitable for an oil finish? The wood grain looks beautiful and I would really like to bring it back to perfection. Kind regards from Enniskillen.

[@GueriniUSA]

Sounds like you have a beauty on your hands with that Forum friend! Unfortunately, we're sad to say it is a bit too difficult to tell what's needed without seeing the gun and the condition in person. We'd normally recommend you send the gun in for us to take a look at and we could offer a professional refinish if needed. Discuss options. That sort of thing. However, it looks like you're from Northern Ireland and we handle more of the U.S. side of things. Have you tried reaching out to a local stock maker or local Guerini importer? Perhaps they could help connect you with someone locally to help with a refinish? In the end, if you don't feel comfortable working with the stock we do highly recommend you reach out to a professional. Knowing how absolutely stunning the Forum's are, you'll definitely want to take good care of it. These videos are more for general maintenance, but it sounds like yours may require a bit beyond what's covered here.

[@Lethal_Intent]

My invictis has like a hard finish from the factory its gone dull on one part i tried this method and the wax method but its still not fixed it. What would you recommend to bring back the shine? Would the wood finish kit from Caeser Guerini work for bringing it back. Thanks 👍

[@GueriniUSA]

The wood finish kit and the videos on our website are excellent tools for touching up the finish. Actually applying the oil can be difficult and does take practice. If you are within the U.S. we are more than happy to touch up the wood for you if you send us the wood. We also offer professional refinishing services for more in-depth work should you need it via our Custom Shop.

[@johncarr6437]

I had a couple of spots on the stock that I used 0000 wool to try and clean up. After completing a damp cloth rub down and clean cotton cloth rub down. The BLO does not seem to penetrate the area I used to wool on. Any help you can offer would be apprciated

[@GueriniUSA]

John, it's difficult to diagnose without seeing the stock in person. Having said that, if you are located here in the U.S., and would like to send your gun in to us for a PitStop service, we would be happy to take a look at it for you. When you send it in for service, please note that you'd like us to add oil to the stock and note the dry areas you mentioned. We do this complimentary if asked to on PitStop's. Alternatively, if you'd like to give us a call we'd be happy to discuss it over the phone. Perhaps give you a pointer or two that you can try yourself at home first? Either way, we're here to help. Please reach out 410-901-1131.

[@jasonb0415]

Any recommendations for someone who may have got some bug repellent on the finish? The finish is now gummy and discolored in the affected area.

[@GueriniUSA]

Give us a call and we can help with your coating issues on your Caesar Guerini shotgun. 410-901-1131 (within the U.S.). We do have professional refinishing services available and can assist you with this if needed.

[@markschmidt5036]

What is your product of choice for cleaning and prep.?

[@GueriniUSA]

Hi Mark, we've updated the video description to include details on how to clean and prep the stock. Check that out and if you have any questions let us know.

[@Hunter-zb3qd]

Can I applied BLO on top of wax? I applied 4 coats of renaissance wax to my Tempio about a month ago. Can I apply BLO on top of that or once you wax the stock it can no longer accept oil and will look patchy?

[@GueriniUSA]

You should remove the wax and any debri from the stock first, before applying a fresh coat of BLO.

[@omgwtfits7612]

I like this guy, 5:20 sounds like me lol

[@GueriniUSA]

😂

[@MrJahaaz]

Hi Andrew, Thanks for putting this up. Very helpful video that's gonna help with caring for my CGs. I do wanna ask if it's ok to use the Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil? Apparently it's a BLO blend ? Or does it have to be pure BLO? Thanks again for the great tutorial.

[@GueriniUSA]

Any oil-based wood finish that you prefer would be suitable.

[@MrJahaaz]

@@GueriniUSA Thank you. I also picked up a can of Renaissance wax. That's great stuff

[@randallkadish5663]

How often do you recommend oiling the stock?

[@GueriniUSA]

The best answer is "as needed," it will be different for every shooter so it's impossible to give a definitive answer to this.

[@lisaharms9387]

How often do u need to touch up the BLO?

[@GueriniUSA]

There's no specific timeframe. It's based on how much you use it and when you feel it needs a fresh coat of oil. See 3:36 Some may choose to do this yearly, or bi-yearly, some may choose to do it more frequently due to elements that may affect their finish like sunscreen or bug spray, sweat, etc.

[@Bsdemigod]

Is there any reason or benefit to oil the hidden or underside parts of the fore-end?

[@GueriniUSA]

There is no benefit from oiling the hidden or underside parts of the fore-end. Simply lubrication and grease the shotgun as recommended in the video.

[@Bsdemigod]

@@GueriniUSA thanks for the reply. I was actually referring to the wood. There is a rough face under the barrel. Should that be protected like a cutting board with oil or is it better to leave it dry?

[@sohaibmajeed8591]

Excellent explanation. I used a very thin layer but its not drying now already 72 hours. Shall i use hairdryer or something, will that help?

[@GueriniUSA]

Depending on the conditions of the room it's stored in (moisture in the air, etc, etc.) it may take longer than normal.

[@sohaibmajeed8591]

@@GueriniUSA thanks for your reply. Will you recommend using half portion of mineral turpentine with half portion boiled linseed to make it even thinner because humidity is very high amd cold

[@freepilot1019]

make sure its boiled linseed oil the regular stuff takes loong tine to dry

[@GueriniUSA]

@@sohaibmajeed8591 If what's on there is not drying, try to buff off the excess with a clean soft cloth before reapplying.

[@happyscrub]

Man, wood finish sounds like toooooo much work!

[@GueriniUSA]

Not at all! Just a little TLC every now and again to keep it looking like new. Just like anything with firearms, general maintenance will extend the life it.

[@brent3569]

What did you pre clean the stock with?

[@GueriniUSA]

Instructions for prep are in the video description.... Wipe it down with a damp (not wet) cloth first, the temperature is irrelevant. Then wipe it down vigorously with a soft cotton cloth making sure the surface is clean, dry, and free of debris. In most cases, this should be sufficient.

[@resolute123]

Why don't you want oil in the checkering?

[@GueriniUSA]

Checkering traditionally has a matte look to it. Adding oil to the checkering will make it shinny, among other things like uneven coating. We'd advise not getting anything in your checkering when applying BLO or wax products to the coating of your shotgun.

[@thelawofthegun6237]

Is it normal for it to look a bit patchy as it’s drying ? I tried it when I noticed it looked a bit patchy I removed it

[@GueriniUSA]

Try going back and removing any potential residue from chemicals like bug spray or sunscreen that may still be on the stock. If you get stuck, or not happy with the results of doing the refinishing work yourself, we do offer a professional refinishing service. We would be happy to help you bring it back up to snuff, so to speak.