I have a couple bolt rifle (factory) with poorly executed checkering - namely flat tops. If they are deepened/improved, can the finish be re-established so that it matches the original finish without sending back to the facdtory? Thanks!

Mike

Get some polyurethane in satin and add thinner to it and compatible stain of your choice of color. Ratio about three parts thinner to one part poly and stain to suit.
Apply using a fine artists brush allowing the mixture to "run" through the newly cut checkering....and run it will!

Repeat to achieve the color you want....the poly will soak in to fill the wood but won't clog the checkering by sitting on top of the wood. Choose the stain for the contrast you want.....or no stain if you just want to fill the checkering. I like a dark brown stain and in the end it's hard to tell the checkering was stained. A tech at Brownells told me about this.....and it works for me.

IMO you don't have to match the gloss/satin....you only need to make the checkering look finished.

Isn't there a strong risk that you can't match the color of the original finish?

not really - checkering is done after the finish is applied, so any change would look much the same as it does now

OK, let me ask one more question then. Can an AMATEUR re-cut the checkering without ruination?

quote:

Originally posted by MikeG50:
OK, let me ask one more question then. Can an AMATEUR re-cut the checkering without ruination?

If you have no previous experience.....don't try it the first time on a nice gun.....practice on a Savage or something.....

I've tried it on pressed checkering.....it takes a lot of practice....I'd say twenty hours or so.

You already have checkering and just want to deepen it....If you have great patience....give it a try.....but if it isn't going well.....send it to someone that has the skills. It's a lot easier to ruin it than it is to improve it!

quote:

It's a lot easier to ruin it than it is to improve it!

If you have no previous experience.....don't try it the first time on a nice gun.....practice on a Savage or something.....

You are so right!!

i'd just send it over to carol at ahlmans, knowing that it will come back perfect and reasonably