Spot Refinishing of Stock

[Bill-52]

I’m considering reshaping the front of the comb on a rifle I made several years ago. However, once it’s reshaped, I’m concerned about blending a new finish with the old. The reshaping will only involve the front of the comb where it curves down to the wrist.  My objective is to make the slope more gradual. Neither the wrist nor the comb back to the buttplate will need to be modified.

The stock on this rifle is finished with Jim Klein’s Dangler stains (the sequence of which I still have), followed by Chambers Traditional Oil Stock Finish.

I’d appreciate any thoughts and advice on if and how a spot refinish like this can be blended into the old finish.  Or whether I should I just live with the comb as it is. While refinishing the entire stock would be possible, I’d prefer to avoid this.

Thanks, Bill

[rich pierce]

Pretty sure you can do it without issue. You have the stain you used originally. That’s the key in my view.

[Not English]

Bill, I would use the original stains like Rich  mentions. I would stain with a Q-tip or a small acid brush. Stain darker than you think you need and then take it back with steel wool or scotchbrite until you're happy with the color. If you're not sure, a little water wiped over the surface will give you a better idea of what it will look like. I'd finish it just as you did originally. If you're not happy with the stock finish/spot finish, steel wool the whole stock and apply one more coat of finish, you're basically getting rid of the grunge that has accumulated overt time on the original  finish.

Dave

[Bill-52]

Thanks Rich & Dave.  Much appreciated.  Just wanted to make sure, given the very conspicuous area.

Bill

[smylee grouch]

Will that process work if the stock has had several coats of BLO after aqua fortis and some thing like a true oil layer over that?

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

For that much re-styling work, I'd never be able to blend new finish with old...I'd re-finish the entire stock.

[Not English]

Smylee, In have repaired stocks that used aqua fortis and Boiled Linseed  Oil. It's a bit trickier and is more trial and error, because you don't know the strength and composition of the original aqua fortis. The idea is the same though. I have never used Tru Oil because it's just too shiny for my tastes, so I can't comment on it.

Dave

[smart dog]

Hi Bill,
You should find that Jim Klein's Dangler stains will penetrate into the wood even if there is some residual finish in the wood.  Also, strippers and solvents work, but I find the cleanest and fastest way to remove old finish it to scrape it off.



dave