Old Weatherby Vangaurd stock Finish??

[DLH]

Ok boys and girls, here is the question,  I have an old 1971 Weatherby Vangaurd with the prettest burl walnut stock that I have ever laid eyes on!!!  but it has some chips in the finish. the finish looks about 1/4 " thick, but isn't, I want to refinish it!! I have been told the old finish is epoxy, how do I remove the finish and leave the checkering??
  This gun shoots super, with all but the heavest bullets, and is in the 7mm Rem mag. :wink:

[gunnut69]

The finish on weatherbys is quite difficult to remove.  How about just touching up the existing finish?  I recently remove 1 inch tall initials from the stock of a deluxe MKV left hand.  The finish is habdled just like an automotive finish except I use a rub on polyurethane available at paint and discount stores.  If your interested I can go thru the details.  If you wish to remove the finish and start over.. I would advise heat to curdle the finish.  A propane torch will cause the finish to curdle and soften.  Do a smallish area at a time and remove the destroyed finish with a scraper, a butcher knife blade works well.  You don't actually have to remove all the finish, 80-90% will do.  The initial sanding will remove the rest.  If the wood is not too bunged up start with 220 grit paper and remove as little wood as is possible or the stocks shape and fit will be altered.  Remember keep flats flat and edges sharp, use a block and shapes to fit specific areaas.  Protect the checkering with a layer or 2 of masking tape.  A knife run around the edge of the pattern will rmove excess tape and a thumbnail can be used to press the edge down into the groove to seal away any finish flow..  I sand the tops of the checkering a bit and after the stock is refinished a checkering cutter will clean the grooves removing what little original finish remains and pointing up the pattern.  A light coat of finish is then brushed into the checkering with an old tooth brush and the excess  wiped away.

[DLH]

Thanks Gunnut69;
  How about I take some pictures of the nicks, and post them or send them to you? see if you think they can be repaired?  OK?  I'll have to get it from the shop tomorrow. :grin:

[gunnut69]

Sure I'll take a look but if the wood fiber is not broken the nick can easily be fixed.  If the fibers are torn there will remain a mark there although steaming will make it very difficult to see.  Scratches and nicks that don't penetrate the finish into the wood will completely go away.  It is sometimes difficult to match the sybthetic finishes as the material used to provide UV protection adds a bit of tint to the material and there are at least 2 different types, one leaaves a bit of a blueish tint the other a slight greenish cast.  I like the rub on poly the best as it's easier to apply with little cleanup.

[DLH]

Thanks GN69,

         I have the pictures, but I can't figure out how to post them?  do you have a E-mail addy that I can send them to?   I tried to send you an E-mail but I must have goofed.

   My Addy is          dlh4570@netzero.com


Thanks

[gunnut69]

DLH has decided to try to fix the existing finish rather than totally refinish.  He's asked that I give him a few directions. to this end I will start a new thread with an appropriate title.