Wow, been quite some time since I've been on here.....anyhow
A few years ago I decided to refinish my Rem 700 BDL stock. I followed an article that I found in Guns & Ammo. Basically, I stripped it, whiskered it, and then wet sanded it about 20 times with a mix of something around 2 parts Minwax black walnut stain/3-4 parts mineral spirits. Anyway, the color I have arrived at is just what I was looking for, and the stock is silky smooth. However, during the sealing/sanding process, a lot of the checkering got filled in with the stain. I did not sand the checkering at all, but rubbing the stock down with the stain put layer upon layer that just got caught in the checkering. I would like to put a protective finish over the stain I put on there, but do not want any unnecessary shine. So, I have two questions. What to do about the checkering? I bought an 18 LPI checkering kit from Brownells, should I re-cut the checkering and then re-stain the checkering? What should I use or a final protective finish on the stock. This stock is totally utilitarian as it is for my deer rifle, I just want some protection against scratches and whatnot. Way back when the shooters forum was around, in the gunsmithing forum, someone mentioned a satin polyurethane by Varathane, it was a particular formula, anyone know what I'm talking about? As I said, I am not looking for any additional shine, a nice durable satin finish that will just show the color of the stain nicely will do. I plan on glass bedding the action when it goes back into the stock, if that matters at all. Thanks.