I am in the process of finishing a laminated stock. This is my first stock to finish. I bought a finishing kit from Boyds, and have followed their instructions. I did the sanding starting with 120gr, 150, 180, and 320. I sprayed the stock with two coats of the Polyurethane Satin finish. The stock looked good at this point. Then the instructions said to spray the stock with the Polyurethane finish and wet sand.

This is where it started to look bad, I had several places that got some gummy build up in areas, even after respraying the area to wet it again. I didn’t think much about it then, and let it dry for 24hrs. The instructions then said to smooth out the stock with 320gr., but the 320gr. is not making much of a dent in it. I’m thinking I will have to go to something heaver sand paper to smooth it out.

Where did I screw up? Should I remove most of the finish and start over.

Buck,

Sand the stock while the finish was still wet?? Never heard of doing that with a spray can. Those finishes dry too fast for wet sanding I think. Gummy areas sound like partially dried finish. I would sand back with 220 and see how it looks.

Wet sanding is generally done with a slower drying finish - like a tung oil. Or you can also wet sand with mineral spirits.

Yeah, I would remove ALL of the finish & start over. I had very good results finishing Boyd's laminated stocks thus...I sand working up to 600 grit paper. Then when satisfied, I use a product called "Gunsaver, Gunstock Finish, 'Hunter Satin".
Brownell's sells it. Just spray it on, let dry for at least 6 hours, spray again & again. The most professional, most expert stock people I know use this product...as its nearly foolproof...easy & gives a great finish without problems. You can spray without sanding between coats if you do it within 24 hrs. of the first coat. Its the best stuff going...I've used them all, and I only use this finish now. So do the pros I know, who have a lot of work to turn out & can't waste time & effort with a lesser product. try it, you'll like it!
Best Regards,
Tom

put in in your air return for a week, sand clean and start over..

get a can of sand sealer, from minwax, apply two costs per directions

use gunsaver and/or procustom gun oil (it IS the same stuff) after letting the sanding sealer dry for 2 hours

jeffe

Thanks for all the replys.

Buck,