Stock Finishing

[MDC]

I got after this thing this weekend. First thing I did was to thin down the wrist, it was just too fat for my hand. Started with a fine rasp and worked slowly until it felt good then worked it with 100 grit paper going up to 220. Sanding took it down a bit more and now it feels really good



Applied the stripper and let it do its thing then got it cleaned up. A little messy but much better than sanding the whole thing.


Then got it sanded to 220 grit.


I decided to go with Tru Oil and didn't stain it. I'll just let the wood speak for itself. I put on a thinned coat earlier this morning. It was pretty warm and low humidity today so this evening the first coat dried pretty well. I put on a second thinned coat and sanded it in with 320 grit. It really smoothed it out and filled the pores well. It looks like the forend is going to be a touch lighter but doesn't look bad at all.

Thanks again for the advice and someone mentioned, maybe a different thread, about rubbing cooking oil into your hands then soap and water for getting the finish off. Works like a champ!
Planning one more thinned coat sanded in with 400 grit then I'll start with unthinned oil and rub in by hand until I get it where I want it.

[Love Life]

It is going to come out nice! Once you go to full strength coats I’d let it dry at least 24 hours between coats. If you want to scuff. Between coats I recommend 3m finishing pads from Lowe’s or Home Depot. Get the 3m brand as the el cheapo brands bleed dye on the project. Found that out the hard way.

[MDC]

Here it is after 7 coats. Just got the 8th applied.
Had a crew show up to trim the bushes right in the middle of the process so it didn't come out great. I'll buff it back down tomorrow evening and probably do two more coats. After the final coat I'll buff it down once more and wax it. Expecting it to turn out with a nice satin finish.