Repair's on right rail

[frankderrico]

I've been doing some stock repairs on a Win. and an Inland. So I thought I would share some of the work. The Win. wasn't to bad but the Inland was about toast. They were both just about black when I started. I thought it would be fun to take on a challenge to see if I could make something out of the Inland. Next step is to put a rifle in them and give them a work out.....Frank

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Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[STU1]

looks good so far, but can you restore them back to Highwood? i've encountered a few and they were hard to tell until a closer inspection.

[frankderrico]

Well STU, thats a challenge for the next one. I have a couple of highwoods that were cracked that I glued that turned out good, hard to tell they were cracked. Getting the wood to match is the tough part.....Frank

[painter777]

Getting the grain lines to match up is the toughest part.
This is when a supply of beat up stocks comes in handy.
Make sure both the patch and stock are sanded evenly..... not too smooth, more or less in the 120-150 grit range.
You might even have to 'Stress' your patch to give it the been there done that look like the original stock.
Then use a base color to tint the patch to the lightest color found on the stock.
On stocks with heavy grain lines you can use the stain markers to draw lines over your patch to simulate the existing lines and pore holes.
Then apply the darker color over it that matches the existing color.

Best way since your probably not going to find the perfect matching piece to patch in is to actually use a paint or stain applied over your patch to match the lightest color of the stock (the base color).
Apply this by feathering it just past the patch's joints on to the stock.
Then pick out a Gel Stain and brush a coat over your base color.
A little goes a long way. You can inter mix these pre made colors to find a correct match.
While still wet a Rocker/Graining tool can be drawn over the wet Gel Stain.
Use of a Graining Comb may also be needed. Steel wool can also be used.
By poking the bristle ends of a dry brush into the Wet Gel Stain will appear like pore holes. Many different tools available.
Don't like how it came out? Wipe it off while still wet and start over.
Look up Faux Wood Graining and you'll find some useful tips, even some How To Videos.
I like the Old Masters line of base coats and Gel stains. When fully dry rub the oil you like best for the final top coat. With some practice repairs like this can be nearly invisible.

A link to Old Masters.....
Wood Graining

Frank,
You've done very well. I'd love to have you poking around in the shop.
Learning to wood grain will help you tremendously if you decide to continue repairing stocks. In the 'Old' days we use to have to make up our own potions..... lots of trial and error.
Just a tip..... When patching, angle your ends (lap joint) so they overlap the stock on the outside. Makes for a stronger repair when pushing on the outside inward.

Congrats Your Almost There,
Charlie-painter777

P.S. You keep buying up these finishing supplies, you'll have to call me so you can use our discounts $$

[frankderrico]

Thanks Charlie, good point on the lap joint. My thought on these were that when the rifle was fired the presure would be coming from the inside. I finished the sanding with 80 grit cut about an inch and a half, rapped on a file for control. I like the thought of a little distress to blend the patch in. I do enjoy repairing stocks and plan on doing more and thanks to the link to "Old Masters" I'll be checking it out. I need to take the time to get a soaking tank set up like yours......Frank

P.S. Thanks for the offer for the discounts

[painter777]

Frank,
It's just nice seeing someone making progress on their projects.
I've been putting proposals and estimates together all day.
Lucky I can pop on the forum every now and then to clear my head.
I have a early RMC and late IBM waiting on me............ :-(

Cheers
Good luck,
Charlie-painter777

[frankderrico]

Charlie, I forgot to say thank you for all of your advice and sharing your knowledge. You have help me out more than you know. Poking around in your shop would be a real benefit for any of us. I don't miss the days when I had to do excavating estimates. Working on those stocks last week were more for therapy than anything else.....Frank

P.S. Good luck on those proposals

[DaveHH]

They make gun stocks and have a slag pile that probably would help you guys. They used to sell palleted roughed out stocks that were either not good enough or spoiled in some way as firewood! I used to burn the scraps in my wood stove, and yes dry walnut is a fantastic firewood. A pickup load was $15-20?