My first gunstock carving

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After reading through Kate's thread in WIP about her gunstock carving, I had decided to make an attempt at carving the gunstock on my son's gun. Once I got it out of the case, though, I became very apprehensive about such undertaking, because I know that a carving can greatly affect the value of a gun. The one he wants me to carve is a new Huglu Mallard over and under. I have 3 issues that immediately comes to mind. One is a high gloss on the stock, two, the checkering, and 3, I've never done a low relief carving. BTW, the checkering is on the grip as well as the stock.
To move a mountain you take one stone at a time, but this is the heavy one.
I don't want to do anything to the checkering, but I also don't want to see where the new finish starts and the old stops.
I was wondering if anyone could give me some advise on this project.
I don't think the carving will be an issue once I get past the finish. (LOL!)
I appreciate your input.
Michael

[foamer01]

The only advice from personal experience is that an oil finish gun stock makes the job of finishing very easy and looks great. The "plastic" high gloss such as some Browning's are almost impossible to make look good. I know this won't help you in your situation, however me gut feeling is telling me you should pass on this stock and try an oil finished stock, if you are looking for a top notch job. Just a thought.

[Dagwood]

Klingspor's Woodworking Shop, Woodworking Supplies, Tools, Discs, Sanding Sleeves, Sandpaper, Belts, Klingspor's, Klingspor's, Proxxon item number BC23035 its called true oil its gun stock oil. finishes like glass its a great product. ive refinished some gunstocks with this product and trust me I'll never use another finish on a gun but this.. hope this helps

[foamer01]

I would never want to sway you in your finishing methods however a friend of mine shared his recipe on this forum and you might change the way you finish your stocks. Just a thought.
Foamer

Woodstocks Amazin' Stock Finish & photos - RimfireCentral.com Forums

[Dagwood]

Foamer01 thanks for your friends site... He is useing the same product i recomended Dont know if you knew that or not

[foamer01]

Wow I thought his method was his own with not only Birchwood Casey tru oil but the mixture of Armor All making the "elixir" formula, fast dry times with amazing results. I will have to tell him he is not the first. How long have you been doing this procedure? I had always just used Tru Oil with fine results, however this receipe has me in awwww. Well maybe someone else can get some ideas from this web site as you already knew about it.
Cheers!
Foamer

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Foamer01,
I have used Casey's Tru Oil, and have a partial bottle, if it hasn't dried up. I've never heard of using Armor-All with it, though.
That is some great information, and I've only read half the thread. He's getting amazing results, and it seems too easy.
Looks like the hard part is going to be removing the old finish, but I'm wondering if the new will match whats on the grip or will I have to refinish it, too?
I've only refinished one gunstock, and I've used it on a mountain dulcimer, but not with those kind of results. I haven't gotten anywhere with the Huglu, yet, because I haven't gotten the stock off, and I have 4 other projects to get done before the 25th---for the grandchildren.
But I do thank you for the link, and I have saved it in my favorites for later reference.
Michael

[rickm]

wow i have been tempted but dont have the talent good for u

[chipmunk]

hi, i haven't seen how far along u r remove the stock strip use a soft brass brush on the checks most guns i've refinshed has had laquer on them its a hard shiney finsh how the gun is used to the finsh i use most the time i use laquer, poly, a/ so oils. i have used e-poxl on some
because that its real thick a/ super hard so any scratchs from barbwire or such can be polished out, only thing w/ useing this is it about a 1/8 thick so u have to keep that on mind..
as far as the value it may hurt it , but the way i look at it is it's what u like if u like something a lot for what u or someone close to u did money can't buy it anyway

[cut up]

I haven't yet gotten the stock off. I read through the thread that foamer01 gave, and it looks like the TruOil "elixer" might give the high gloss shine that would be close to the factory finish. Now I'm wondering, how important is it to strip the whole stock or can I just refinish the area that I plan to carve? IF its necessary to strip the stock, I feel like I'll most likely have to strip the grip so they will match. I don't want it to be just a quick shoddy job, but time is short and I've still got other things to accomplish before Christmas. The grip and a small area on the stock are checkered.
Thanks for every one, for you input and advise on this project.
Michael