Norinco Orange Finish

[MacThomas]

Does anyone know how to precisely duplicate the Norinco orange finish? It appears to be a wood stain covered by varnish. If you've tried a particular combination of stain (or dye) and sealer, and it seriously matches, I'd like to hear about it.

MacThomas

[Packrat]

I've been told that Minwax has a stain called Mandarin Orange that does it (with linseed or tung oil finish), but I've never been able to find the stain. Everything I've been able to find is too brown.

[Ugh]

This is my attempt with an Ironwood Maple pistol grip that was cut for the ferrule. Then off to the home depot for min wax wood conditioner, Minwax Golden Pecan stain, and amber shellac.

First I wetted the Ironwood grip, then sanded it with 220 grit sandpaper, then 320 grit, then 400 grit, and finished up with rubbing it with steel wool. Then I applied the wood conditioner. I let it soak in for 20 minutes then applied the Golden Pecan stain. I applied a coat of Golden Pecan stain daily until it wasn't getting any darker. Then I applied 4 coats of the amber shellac.

Here are the results comparing the grip against a Norinco Buttstock and Handguards:

http://www.hunt101.com/img/048360.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/img/048362.JPG

Its not a perfect match, but it is close enough for me!

[MacThomas]

Thanks, Packrat - I'll be going to Minwax site to see if it's available. Ugh, you're right, that's a pretty darned good match. Thanks to both of you. Any other input would be welcome!

MacThomas

[MacThomas]

Yep, MinWax does indeed make the Mandarin Orange stain. It's one of their water-based stains group. See it at http://www.minwax.com/products/woodstain/waterbased-color.cfm

[NewtoFals]

The chinese finish is 6# orange shellac.

Nothing mysterious. The wood is not stained this crap is just brushed over the wood.

[Packrat]

I've heard the same thing, it's just shellac. I tried the golden pecan on a MAK-90 buttstock I refinished, and the result was far too brown, and not noticeably golden or orange. The original wood color has a lot to do with it.

I much prefer wood furniture, and I like the orange of the Norinco wood, especially with the blued rifles. (It isn't nearly as nice with Parkerized grey.) I hope in the medium future to do some stock-making using plywood or laminated truss stock, and will be playing with stains to see what looks good with the thick "laminations" of that.

[Ugh]

Packrat, I completely agree that the original wood color has a lot to do with how close you get to the desired color. The pistol grip I did was maple, very light, my final results turned out a little light. I did a test on a darker piece and it turned out very similar as seen in the pic below.

My next test I have a maple pistol grip and a walnut pistol grip ordered. I stripped down an original chinese gas tube cover. I'll try what I did before and see how they turn out compared to an original Chicom.



http://www.hunt101.com/img/091271-big.jpg