Finish runs off when wet.

[Leatherbelly]

  New smoothie, a NE fowler. nice little gun but...the finish comes off when it gets a little wet.I have no idea what this finish is composed of. So out of frustration, I grabbed my favourite car wax, stuff called Zymol(says its completely vegetable based) and laid it on the stock and wiped it off. Will try it today at the range and see what happens.Hope this wax doesn't bugger up the wood.Any comments appreciated.Cheers,Roy

[Dave K]

I can only say what I would do. I would strip it and put a real finish on it. But, that is just me.

[38_Cal]

I can only say what I would do. I would strip it and put a real finish on it. But, that is just me.

I'll second the motion.  No telling what's on there now and what it's long term effect will be on your stick.

David

[KLMoors]

If you rub it with a damp rag can you get the existing finish off? If so I'd do that a few times and let it dry well. Then I think I'd go ahead and try refinishing with a product of your choice. If it turns out that nothing will stick, then you may need to get out the steel wool and sand paper.

By the way, I managed to wear through an area of finish on my hunting gun. I wax my guns occasionally with Johnson's paste wax and it was while waxing that I noticed this area. I thought " oh $#@*, now I've got wax down into the stained wood and I'll never get finsish to stick to it." I rubbed the area with some Chambers Oil and it worked real well. It must cut the wax somehow because I had no issues getting it to stick to that area and it blended in beautifully.

[Leatherbelly]

  Thanks Fred,
  That's what I did,rub the finish with a damp rag. It's not a piece of real fancy wood,black walnut. Had no floor wax so I used veg based wax,then hand rubbed it back to a satin sheen. It'll work for now. Another winter project.