I have a couple rifles in which I am changing the recoil lugs and
will need to redo the bedding in that area, which brings up a
couple questions which I'm unsure of:

#1. Will the rest of the bedding for the receiver need to have
a skim bedding to make everything even?

#2. What should I do about any remaining release agent on the
original bedding? Is there an appropriate cleaner, or should
it be roughed up enough to get under any release agent?
(Assuming a skim bedding is needed.)

Danno

Dig out some of the old bedding; "skim" coats may not adhere to old bedding no matter how well you try to clean it. I assume you are bedding a Rem or Savage, or something with separate lugs, and yes, then, re-bed them with more than a skim coat, which I do not trust. As for the rest of the receiver, you should not need to do anything to that unless you want to, in which case, dig out and roughen up the bedding; I don't trust skim coats. Release agent can be removed with lacquer thinner and be careful with it; it eats stock finish.

G'Day Fella's,

Danno Boone, I generally mask off the area around the action/bedded area, and then VERY CAREFULLY bead blast it, at a reduced air pressure (@ 30psi)!
This generally removes any existing release agent, and gives the new bedding compound, a good surface to adhere to!!!

Hope that helps

Doh!
Homer

I would rather de-fang a rattlesnake than try that.

Use a gouge and create 1/8" clearance at intersection. Use a couple patches and wipe down original bedding with acetone. Then scuff with 80 or so grit. Wipe down again and bed as normal


The bedding compound, if the same as before, will bond to old coat, but won't bond to wax, oil, or release agent. This is a basic structure of epoxies and composites.