Removing Lock & Brass after Tru-Coat 1st App.

[LOZ]

I took some advice and quickly installed the lock, patchbox, etc. following the the 1st application of the Tru-Coat oil in each of those areas. I was told that the wood could swell with the first coat and make the lock and etc. fit too tight or no longer fit at all.
After I applied the 1st coat and then the parts after about 5 min. they did fit tight. I'm glad I did it. So now that leads me to a question.

Can I remove the parts and apply the rest of the Tru-oil coats without having to reinstall the patchbox, lock, butt plate, etc. every time on the stock?

[elk killer]

But plate and patch box shouldn't have to be removed ever once  installed before finishing,
no reason to remove them,,lock and triggers might need a little scraping to refit

[LOZ]

Thank you. I wanted to put the oil finish on under everything to protect it in weather conditions. I thought that after the 1st coat dried I could remove the lock, and etc. and apply other coats and the wood would not swell any more.

[L. Akers]

I don't use un-thinned finish to seal my mortices.  I have used 2-lb cut shellac but mostly use a mixture of 50% mineral spirits, 25% urathane and 25% tung oil.  I apply one coat and have not had problems with parts not fitting.

[LOZ]

I was fortunate enough to have all of parts fit very good. That’s why I was concerned when I found out the wood could swell with the first coat. Your mixture makes sense to seal the mortises and the pocket area of the patch box.