Changing shotgun stock finish

[Andrew Leigh]

Hi,

I bought this O/U Gamba Field Gun but do not like the glossy varnish finish which is standard for the shotgun. Would I be doing a bad thing or would I devalue the gun if I refinished it into a more matt oil based finish?

[Ds J]

I do not know about the (de)valuation etc; I did a London oil finish on a SMLE 303 and it was a rewarding experience. Just lovely to see how the wood changes with the treatment.

[Edwill]

Hey Andrew

I have been wanting to do the same with my Bioto O/U. I am trying different techniques with a Air Rifle stock that looks similar. I used paint stripper to get most of varnish off. Then 150grit paper. I am going to go down all the way to 800grip water paper and see how it turns out. I have some browning stock oil which i will use in the end. If it does not work, ill just varnish it again. Just to find the time!

[Andrew Leigh]

Does anyone know if checkering tools are all the same footprint. i.e. width between the two cutting surfaces.

I would have to run a checkering tool through the checkering to get rid of the varnish. Then I want to colour the checkered portions like on my .375, I like the effect. Not the best pic but you get the idea from this photo.

[Ds J]

Does anyone know if checkering tools are all the same footprint. i.e. width between the two cutting surfaces.

Andrew, the lines of checkering and its tools differ. Most checkerers (?) use 18-25 lines per inch. Some cutters are two- and three footed.

There are checkering web pages and suppliers on the internet - unfortunately I lost my computer data a while ago.

[Andrew Leigh]

Thanks will measure mine and see if anything matches.

[Strummer]

I'm busy doing the same to my shotgun pain in the ass to get the varnish off the checkering. I'm using tru oil and have kept the checkering taped up il use a Tooth brush to get a thin coating right at the end

[Andrew Leigh]

How are you going about cleaning out the checkering?

Are you also thinking about the two tone finish?

[Strummer]

I used a varnish stripper and tooth brush and lots of elbow grease look I'm not working with show grade walnut stock. But I still took my time and have still got a couple more coats to go but I'm happy with it so far

[Strummer]

Still got lots of work but better than the off yellow varnish