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I bought a new unfinished plywood rifle stock from a company in Yorkshire [who shall remain nameless], with the intention of staining it various colours, but it is such lousy quality that the only two realistic options are to have a custom paint job - or a Halfords rattle can paint job - or have it hydro dipped.

Does anybody have experience of having a stock dipped? Or a custom paint job? What is the durability like, and did the end result live up to your expectations?

There are several companies that do it, but are there any recommendations?

I haven't used them myself but Spartan Refinishing are thought of highly in the Practical community. I've seen a few of their jobs and they all seemed to be holding up to the abuse PSG/mini-rifle puts them through

Thanks Blackstuff. It looks like they are more into the cerakote side of things, but it is good to know for the future.

I had a shotgun barrel hydro dipped in carbon fibre effect then high temp laquered that must be 10 years ago and its still fine ..

Thanks Dellboy, that sounds encouraging.

I'm going to Hydro Graphics in York on Thursday to kick some ideas around, and get a feel for the various patterns that they can offer. I have a sneaky feeling that my stock won't be an ugly lump of plywood for too much longer.

Watch this space!