Gunsmithing Walnut rifle stock repair/refurbishing

[AGENT691]

Hello all, I was wondering if anyone knew how to remove, or "lift", small indentations (scope turret knob indentations) in a walnut stock made by another rifle marring it up in the safe? I do not want to refinish, or sand down to the "dimples" if I can possibly steam? the wood and raise the impressed spots up? Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. The "damaged" rifle is a Ruger 77/22 that I've had for 20 years or so (mint cond.), and the NightForce scope on my REPR was laying against it in the rear of the safe, and unknowingly it was pressing on the 77/22 when I was taking other guns in and out. I'm sick over this lack of attention on my part, I just hope I can repair the 77/22. Please help.
Thanks, Tim.

 

[SDWhirlwind]

Re: Walnut rifle stock repair/refurbishing

You can lay a wet rag on top and use a steam iron. Use something like an old wash cloth, not thin material so you generate more steam. If the fibers are cut it won't help but may with a dent. Also there is no guarantee with any method that finish will not crack or release from wood. About all I can tell you. Steaming works well for me but I usuall only do it after I strip wood of the finish it had.

 

[AGENT691]

Re: Walnut rifle stock repair/refurbishing

Hey SD, thanks for the tip. The fibers are not cut and the finish is not scraped, so I hope if I try that method gently I may reclaim it's aesthetics without harming the original finish. The dents are very shallow, like my intelligence.
Thanks for the reply, Tim.

 

[SDWhirlwind]

Re: Walnut rifle stock repair/refurbishing

When I said it might help if dented the reason for "might" was with the finish intact the steam won't penetrate into the wood fibers like when stripped. The steam method definetly works when wood is dented but completely stripped of finish first.

Just watch so you don't get it so hot it scorches the wood.

 

[John L]

Re: Walnut rifle stock repair/refurbishing

SD is spot on about the finish preventing the steam from getting to the wood below. If you decide to try and steam the dents out I going to bet it will lift the finish in that area. Many factory stocks are done in laquer of one form or another. It makes a fast drying finish but wont stand up to the hot steam of an iron.