jaytee
Single-Sixer
Got the stock on my newly aquired M77V all stripped down and I've sanded it with 320 wet and then a final sand with 400 wet. Its pretty smooth but should I go finer one more time, say 600 maybe or not. Thanks for any advice!!!
Gunstock refinishing
- Thread starter jaytee
- Start date
DeletedMember275
Hunter
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2002
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- 2,759
IMHO, 400 grit is plenty for a working gun. Unless you're dealing with presentation-grade wood, I don't see any point in going beyond the 400 grit.
BRL
Single-Sixer
IMHO, you've got it down to that level of sanding prep. already, so why not take a little longer and go the extra step of #600 wet/dry just for peace of mind?
Depending on what finish your going to use, I like to rub in an oil finish using #600, and after it dries a few days, then I either use wax, or polyurthane to protect it.
...FWIW
Depending on what finish your going to use, I like to rub in an oil finish using #600, and after it dries a few days, then I either use wax, or polyurthane to protect it.
...FWIW
rugerjunkie
Hunter
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2005
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Wet the stock down with rubbing alcohol or other solvent that will evaporate and not soak in like water. That will raise , or feather if you will , the ends of the grain and then sand again with your 400 and you will be amazed at how much smoother it will feel with the same grit.
How did your dent raising work out?
How did your dent raising work out?
Worked out good. Acutally most of 'em were small enough that they sanded out. I didn't try alcohol, I've already used water to wet sand and I've raised the grain 3 times at least. I rinsed it with some really hot water and I think that might have helped raise the dents also. I'm gonna use some spray urethane to fill the poors of the wood, spray it on, let it tack, spray on another coat, let it tack and then a final coat. Let it dry good for 4 or 5 days, then wipe down with mineral spirits to remove most of the urethane other then whats left in the poors. Then give a good coat of tru-oil and see what she looks like. I'm planning on doing this, maybe to a lesser degree, to the inside of the stock as well to make sure its weather-proof. Does this sound like a good idea and plan?
rugerjunkie
Hunter
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- Mar 15, 2005
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For finishing I would just get some grain filler and then use the poly. Mineral spirits probably wont have the strength to dig in to the poly and anything strong enough to dig in will more than likely strip more than you want.
Instead of trying to take the finish back down a bit chemically , spray your poly , knock off the dust bunnies between coats , and after your final coat use some 0000 steel wool and rub it down to your desired amount of shine.
I use a high gloss and after rubbing with the steel wool it gives a semi satin look. Or starting with a satin , it is more of a matte finish when done. I like using Hellmsman spar exterior urethane when not doing a hand rubbed oil finish. Tough as nails and easy to touch up a spot if needed.
Instead of trying to take the finish back down a bit chemically , spray your poly , knock off the dust bunnies between coats , and after your final coat use some 0000 steel wool and rub it down to your desired amount of shine.
I use a high gloss and after rubbing with the steel wool it gives a semi satin look. Or starting with a satin , it is more of a matte finish when done. I like using Hellmsman spar exterior urethane when not doing a hand rubbed oil finish. Tough as nails and easy to touch up a spot if needed.
Cracker-American
Blackhawk
I do not use sandpaper when I raise the grain. It tends to push the "feathers" down when you want them gone. I use OOO steel wool. You will want to fill the grain because you will get minor gouges in the surface, I mean tiny. But you will never have to worry about the grain raising again.
