your opinion please

[Rambler]

Let me say first that I am not a professional builder just a hobbyist . I do it because I enjoy the work and it's a great excuse to spend time in my shop . I have built several longrifles and a couple of Hawkens so I'm not a beginner but I'm learning everyday . One of my questions is do you do your inlay mortises before or after staining ? And Why does my final finish [ Tru-Oil ] sometimes dull the luster of any wire inlay . Any advice would be much appreciated .

[Hungry Horse]

That depends on if I am using a traditional stain, or aquafortis. Stain isn't going to attack metal inlays but aquafortis will. So, I generally bevel the back side of the inlay, and fit it carefully, but not permanently, so I can remove them and stain the wood.
 Finish that produces a surface sheen will almost always dull brass to some degree. I usually use a fine scotchbrite pad to rub the final coat back just enough to get the inlays cleaned up.

  Hungry Horse

[bama]

I normally have all the stock work done including inlays before I stain the stock.

One reason your wire could be looking dull is you are covering it with finish, It has been a while since I used Tru Oil but best I remember it dries to a hard finish. Try buffing the wire inlay with 4/0 steel wool after each coat of finish to keep the finish from​ building up over the wire.

A lot of inlays look dull because they are covered with finish.

[BOB HILL]

I do as Jim does. Inlays in, engraving done. Gun is built when I start with stain and finishing. Also use fine steel wool to remove any finish build up on inlays, patchbox, etc.       Bob

[L. Akers]

I stain after inlays are morticed but not fixed in place.  They are removed for staining.  I use a typewriter (remember those?) eraser to clean finish off wire inlay.  With this method I don't  rub any adjacent finish.

[Mike Brooks]

I do as Jim does. Inlays in, engraving done. Gun is built when I start with stain and finishing. Also use fine steel wool to remove any finish build up on inlays, patchbox, etc.       Bob

Ditto

[jerrywh]

Let me say first that I am not a professional builder just a hobbyist . I do it because I enjoy the work and it's a great excuse to spend time in my shop . I have built several longrifles and a couple of Hawkens so I'm not a beginner but I'm learning everyday . One of my questions is do you do your inlay mortises before or after staining ? And Why does my final finish [ Tru-Oil ] sometimes dull the luster of any wire inlay . Any advice would be much appreciated .

Let me say first that I am not a professional builder just a hobbyist . I do it because I enjoy the work and it's a great excuse to spend time in my shop . I have built several longrifles and a couple of Hawkens so I'm not a beginner but I'm learning everyday . One of my questions is do you do your inlay mortises before or after staining ? And Why does my final finish [ Tru-Oil ] sometimes dull the luster of any wire inlay . Any advice would be much appreciated .

  I do not use True oil for a final finish. I use it for the first 3 or 4 coats but then go to a thinner oil such as Permalyn for the final couple. However True oil can be made to look real good for a final coat if it is applied a certain way.  All that aside, I put my inlays in all engraved and then finish. I do not finish with the lock plate , side plate ot RR thimbles in. You can take a Q-tip with acetone on it and clean off the inlays. Get the compressed type. They don't have as much loose fibers.

[Rambler]

Thanks guys for all the good tips . This proves that you can teach an old dog new tricks !

[ron w]

inlaying wire and then sanding or filing it down to flush leaves scratch marks in the wire, no matter how fine a paper you use,...although very fine, when you wipe over them with finish, you fill the scratches with stain and finish, which dulls the reflective property of the wire's flat surface.
 lightly scraping over the area of the wire inlay with a very sharp scraper will remove a lot of those scratches , so the wire holds less stain color and finish. 

[jerrywh]

 I put the final finish on stocks with 1000 grit. paper and oil.  No scratches on this one.