Gunsmithing Help on sanding on stock.

[benellibrian]

I'm thinking about sanding the butt stock of a rifle I have.It has pistol grip checkering.What should I do with the checkering do I cover it up with tape to make sure I dont sand on it or is there a better way?I dont think there is finish on it think its just a oil rubbed stock.Any help from someone that has done it would help thanks.

 

[jacq220]

Re: Help on sanding on stock.

just leave it be... unless you are going to use a power sander of some sort its easy to stay away from... take a 2x2 piece of cork and wrap your sandpapaper around it so you dont dish out the stock.... when you are done you can take a checkering file and try and clean up the checkering just a tad.... if you havent thought about the final finish yet you may look at tru-oil, i have gotten some pretty awesome results w/ it.

hope that answered your question, if not rephrase it and i will try again.

 

[benellibrian]

Re: Help on sanding on stock.

Yeah that helps.The stock has a couple of small scratches in it on dark wood so they stick out pretty bad.I dont want to sand much on it just enough to get them out.What grit do you finsh with? 400?

 

[jacq220]

Re: Help on sanding on stock.

I usually start w/ around 120 until all of the origonal finish is off that way it doesnt gum up to fast... then most of my actual work is done around 180-200.... once i am getting real close i bump it up and sometimes take it as high as 600 to 800. 400 wont be bad but wont nessesarily give you a high luster finish unless you use some sort of wax or poly. i like building up to around 20-30 coats of truoil VERY light ones at that, and i prefer to start w/ a pretty darn smooth stock. but thats just me, your milage may vary.

 

[former naval person]

Re: Help on sanding on stock.

You need to determine the type of finish. If oil or a natural lacquer or enamel the Tru Oil will bond. If a synthetic, it won't. Trying to blend in scratches on a non oil type finish by sanding around the scratches is a tough job...if the original finish has any color in it, or if the stock has a light stain on the wood under the original finish, you'll wind up with a light spot that you'll somehow have to match or it will look like a stock with birth-marks all over it. I'd try to match the color as much as possible with an oil type finish and just rub some in. Don't refer to the marks as "scratches"...call them "experience marks".

 

[benellibrian]

Re: Help on sanding on stock.

I do wood work at work so I know how the wood is going to react to what I do to it .I've worked with just about every kind of wood you can work with staining sanding and cutting.I'm just looking for tips on gun works because never tried stocks before.

 

[Willys46]

Re: Help on sanding on stock.

For the checkering, I use a paint stripper and use a tooth brush to get the checkering done. After it dries, then tape it off so you do not sand them off or smooth the surface.

For scratches or dents, try and steam them out. Damp cloth and the Iron and apply the heat, it will raise most dents and scratches.

I like sanding as much as possible with a block. It makes the surface much smoother. I would sand it to 600 grit and then apply finish. Some say 400 is fine.

 

[Longrange****]

Re: Help on sanding on stock.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Willys46</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For the checkering, I use a paint stripper and use a tooth brush to get the checkering done. After it dries, then tape it off so you do not sand them off or smooth the surface.

For scratches or dents, try and steam them out. Damp cloth and the Iron and apply the heat, it will raise most dents and scratches.

I like sanding as much as possible with a block. It makes the surface much smoother. I would sand it to 600 grit and then apply finish. Some say 400 is fine. </div></div>

Ya beat me to the steaming out method....it works.

 

[Trental]

Re: Help on sanding on stock.

Another option for removing dents in wood. Works very well as long as the fibers in the wood have not been torn... ie, dent not gouge.

Funny hair style, but great info and you get to play with fire.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdtsa4Sazvw