removing dents from a stock

[borderdogs]

Hi Guys,
I was carrying one of my rifles from my shop and tripped and the rifle flew from my grip and dropped and bumped a couple of times. This is a rifle that I have been working on the barrel and had it apart I put it back together and was bringing it to the house when I caught my toe and made the tumble. Anyway, to the point, Fortunately I was unhurt but my rifle took the brunt of the fall especially the stock. There are a series of dents on the lock panels, wrist, and cheek piece some are pretty deep. I put the rifle away to think about what I would do.

In the past I have used the old iron method; damp washcloth over the spot apply hot iron, which works. But the last time I did that I don't remember if i removed the finish or not. So I figured I would check with the forum and see what others have done. So any suggestions would be welcome.
Rob

[T*O*F]

Steam raises the dents, not heat.  It probably won't penetrate the fibers thru the finish.

[rickw]

Here's a technique for removing small dents that I got from one of Bob Flexner's articles on wood finishing. You put a drop or two of water in the dent, and then just touch the drop of water (NOT the wood!) with a hot soldering iron. That makes a small amount of steam, which raises the dent. You may have to do it a few times to get it to raise up the dent.Then, you can touch up the finish after the wood dries out.
That technique has helped me several times.
Rick W

[borderdogs]

Right Dave hot iron on damp cloth creates steam I might have to remove the finish if I do that I might just refinish the whole stock. Rick, I never heard of that technique but it sounds good.
Rob

[Bob Gerard]

Some photos might help.
If the wood has been sealed (varnished) I doubt you can do anything (with less-than-minor dents) without some serious reworking of the stock/wood.

[Birddog6]

I have raised them on a sealed finish. Took a needle & punctured the finish -3-4 times, depending on dent size. Drop of water in the dent & soldering iron on the water. I’ve used the wet cloth too but one
can lift finish if not careful.
Course ya could tie a rope to it & drag it up & down a gravel drive & even out the character you started 🤷🏻

[P.W.Berkuta]

Hi Guys,
I was carrying one of my rifles from my shop and tripped and the rifle flew from my grip and dropped and bumped a couple of times. This is a rifle that I have been working on the barrel and had it apart I put it back together and was bringing it to the house when I caught my toe and made the tumble. Anyway, to the point, Fortunately I was unhurt but my rifle took the brunt of the fall especially the stock. There are a series of dents on the lock panels, wrist, and cheek piece some are pretty deep. I put the rifle away to think about what I would do.

In the past I have used the old iron method; damp washcloth over the spot apply hot iron, which works. But the last time I did that I don't remember if i removed the finish or not. So I figured I would check with the forum and see what others have done. So any suggestions would be welcome.
Rob

The steam trick will work on dents that are not too deep but it sounds like some of you dents are large and deep. Good luck getting those out

[borderdogs]

Yes some of them I probably can't steam out I might have to remove the finish and work on the stock

[Mark Elliott]

A linseed oil based finish is not all that waterproof.   You can steam through it and it will remove the finish.   However, it is easily repaired.   It is one of the reasons I always liked it.  I wax over top of it when I am done. 

[Daryl]

A linseed oil based finish is not all that waterproof.   You can steam through it and it will remove the finish.   However, it is easily repaired.   It is one of the reasons I always liked it.  I wax over top of it when I am done.

Exactly - if it doesn't work, you will have to remove the finish or puncture it - carry on.

[borderdogs]

Sounds good Mark and Daryl I would rather not refinish the stock
Rob

[bama]

I have steamed several old oil finished walnut stocked guns and never had a problem with the finish being removed. Now many of these stocks I did go with fresh finish after raising the dents but that was in most cases because the finish was pretty worn to start with. I am not sure this method would work on modern plastic type finishes. As long as the grain is dented and not broke you should be able to raise it with steam.

[borderdogs]

So I spent a little time steaming my stock and I got a lot of the dents out although there are still some left on the lock panels but not as bad as they were. I tried to take some pictures but they didnt come out well. I might have another go at the lock panels over the weekend but I am feeling better about the damage I did when I dropped it. Thanks for all the suggestions
Rob

[borderdogs]

Here are a few shots of the dents not great photo's these are before I will take a few of the after. You have to zoom in on the second photo to see the damage better
Rob

[Mike Brooks]

I do that sort of thing on purpose....

[borderdogs]

tripping and falling or just dropping the rifle?
Rob