Fantastic job… I’ve recently inherited one that i’d like to do the same with. Can I ask you to elaborate on your process please.
Many thanks Mossy .
Bearing in mind I was looking to retain some history and signs of use for an aged look .
First thing I did was to start on the deep scratches and dents that were light in colour and not acceptable to me . I rubbed the existing finish just from localised areas of scratching and with the deep one tried to lift with steaming , a simple wet cloth with steam applied . In the worst area as shown in the image I then cut it back with wet n dry and tried to keep the shape . This worked as I wasnt left with any of those scratches.
Next step was to address the fore end crack which in not uncommon on the right side , if you look inside the stock there is inletting with not much meat left . I didnt do much , just opened the crack up and aaplied clear Gorrilla glue and bound the fore end/crack in masking tape .
I then knocked back the finish over the stock , first with light wet n dry and then with wire wool . To maintain ageing I did not sand the finish where there were age appropriate dinks and dents that were dark in colour , if you look closely I also left small amounts of original finish in key wear areas where you may see wood darken over time . Easiest to see in the flutes down both fore ends and particularly towards the ends of the flutes .
One of the fore ends was lighter wood . So I gave just that piece a very thick coating of Walnut oil rubbed well in and left for a day .
The whole stock was given another knock back with OOOO wire wool . Then it had several applications of Walnut oil over several days . these varied between thick oiling massaged in well and thin coats , differing drying times too . Some coats were rubbed in with wire wool and after the stock dried some coats were knocked back again with wire wool . After a time you begin to see the benefits of the dark dings that were left in .
Once happy with the oiling I just rubbed the stock clean with kitchen roll and went over it with a bulb blower to remove dust etc . I didnt want a glossy finish . I opted to use Renaissance wax to protect the stock , this was just 3 coats rubbed in with kitchen roll and buffing lightly between coats .
During the process the butt received extra oil and wax to give it a dark and hard look .
Its a pleasing process , I enjoyed looking the stock over in detail to see what ageing was appealing to me and what I couldnt live with and also what could be enhanced .
best wishes
John
