Checkering, stock re-finish glitch

1229 Views 16 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Bailey Boat, Nov 5, 2012

Uncle Alvah

Discussion Starter · Nov 5, 2012

2

I am re-finishing the stock on a commercial Mauser bolt action.
The finish was a dog to remove, strippers didn't work well, so I ended up using a card scraper on most of it. In the checkering on the postol grip, te finish and stripper have left a "stain" so to speak.
Thats gotta go.
I see three options:

-Re-cut the checkering by hand.

-Try to clean it up with a riffler.

-Remove the checkering all together. This is actually what I'd prefer to do, but without having a way to measure the depth of the checkering accurately, I'm afraid it might take a LOT more rasping/sanding than I think it would.

Opinions appreciated!

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Chdamn

· #2 · Nov 5, 2012

I had the same problem with that a5.

I used denatured alcohol and a stiff tooth brush to clean it up good. Then I just "chased" the checker and cleaned it up. I used checking tools and I made all the v's deeper but stopped short of "pointing". Completely fresh check would have looked out of place on a 60 year old gun.

Chdamn

· #3 · Nov 5, 2012

Now that I see the pics, if you will be staining I wouldn't worry about it. The stain will just look like a dark part if the wood and add character.

B00GER

· #4 · Nov 5, 2012

Chdamn said:
Now that I see the pics, if you will be staining I wouldn't worry about it. The stain will just look like a dark part if the wood and add character.

I agree...and Chdamn knows his wood.

Chdamn

· #5 · Nov 5, 2012

2

Look at the stains in the checker even after I chased it.

Wood Natural material Hardwood Staple food Kitchen utensil

And here it is stained and finished.

Wood Tool Wood stain Varnish Hardwood

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Chdamn

· #6 · Nov 5, 2012 (Edited)

2

Here is another example of a gold hunter stock with a lighter stain.

See how dark the checker is.

Wood Table Tints and shades Musical instrument Hardwood

And here it is stained and finished.

Hand tool Tool Wood Antique tool Varnish

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Uncle Alvah

Discussion Starter · #7 · Nov 5, 2012

Not going to stain it, just TruOil, which will darken it some itself. I might try the alcohol approach as well.

Shortfuze

· #8 · Nov 5, 2012

Natsmith77 said:
I agree...and Chdamn knows his wood.

Hehehehe

ForumSurfer

· #9 · Nov 5, 2012

Completely unrelated, but how many coats of true oil are you guys using? My son and I are working on one for his 10/22.

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B00GER

· #10 · Nov 5, 2012

ForumSurfer said:
Completely unrelated, but how many coats of true oil are you guys using? My son and I are working on one for his 10/22.

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I apply it until I feel it has had enough...generally more than 4 though. After the wood has been smoothed and the TruOil is looking shiny I stop. I then use wood wax.

Uncle Alvah

Discussion Starter · #11 · Nov 5, 2012

I'm going to try the ArmorAll/TruOil "gimmick" this time. You can Google specifics, but essentially wetting the stock with Armor All, then applying the TO causes the oil to set right up in minutes as opposed to hours. Seems you can get a lot of coats on chop-chop. We'll see here shortly.....

Chdamn

· #12 · Nov 5, 2012

Uncle Alvah said:
I'm going to try the ArmorAll/TruOil "gimmick" this time. You can Google specifics, but essentially wetting the stock with Armor All, then applying the TO causes the oil to set right up in minutes as opposed to hours. Seems you can get a lot of coats on chop-chop. We'll see here shortly.....

Check out my browning A5 refinish thread in long guns. I used this technique and loved the outcome. I discuss some of what I found while using it. Just be prepared for mckenziedrums to call it a bubba finish but he means well.

B00GER

· #13 · Nov 5, 2012

It was a bubba finish...you Chdamn, are a bubba...hence your work = Bubba. It still looked awesome though.

ForumSurfer

· #14 · Nov 5, 2012

Natsmith77 said:
I apply it until I feel it has had enough...generally more than 4 though. After the wood has been smoothed and the TruOil is looking shiny I stop. I then use wood wax.

Translation = Keep rubbing until you're happy?

Chdamn said:
Check out my browning A5 refinish thread in long guns. I used this technique and loved the outcome. I discuss some of what I found while using it. Just be prepared for mckenziedrums to call it a bubba finish but he means well.

Day late, dollar short...I may try that on my marlin 60 stock that is up next.

B00GER

· #15 · Nov 5, 2012

ForumSurfer said:
Translation = Keep rubbing until you're happy?

Hehehejehehejejejeh

Chdamn

· #16 · Nov 5, 2012

Hey FS. Nat is spot on if you go straight oil about 4 coats. I use my finger and keep rubbing till it starts to tack (pre-tack if you will).

If you go the armor all and oil route the coats are way thinner so I put on 6 to 8 and then 1 last coat without the armor all sometimes 2. Let that set up for a day or so and then wax.

I use 0000 steel wool between coats until I get to the waxing.

On the wax I apply 2 coats and buff off with a boot brush. Then I "spit" shine the last coat with warm water.

Bailey Boat

· #17 · Nov 5, 2012

Ain't nothing like SPIT and rubbing to make Chdamn a happy person....

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