Dent Removal From FINISHED Stock

[cox3497]

Hey Guys,

I have a question regarding removing a dent from a finished stock. I've got a Browning A-bolt that I recently slightly dented and scratched after removing the new (and very tight) removable magazine from the floorplate of the rifle. I was very surprised at the softness of the stock. You can even press hard on it with your fingernails and easily make a mark. Anyhow, this is a Browning Eurobolt with the matte finished stock. It appears to be some kind of oil finish, but I can say for sure since finishes such as chempack look eactly the same. Anyhow, I don't want to strip the finish from the stock because it isn't that bad, but I would like to lift the dent and scratch slightly if possible. Is this possible without having to refinish? Thanks for any advice you might have. I did a search on this, but it didn't return exactly what I'm looking for.

cox3497

 

[Steve Wynn]

You can try dampening the area, then using an iron over a damp rag to see if the steam will raise he dent. If it does and you think it has an oil finish, try tung oil or Tru Oil on it to refinish it. If the result is too shiny, try some 000 or 0000 steel wool to blend it in.

Steve

 

[Chawbaccer]

Before you use the steam, use a neelde to poke a few holes in the finish first to let the steam get to the wood.

 

[PotatoJudge]

You can also place a drop of water on the dent and touch the water with a soldering iron. If the finish is intact, then you will have to poke holes to let the moisture in. Poking holes with a needle will leave marks that to me look worse than a dent. Also, if the stock is as soft as you say then it will get dings in it with use, just learn to live with them.

 

[Plink]

I've successfully steamed oil finished stocks through the finish. Lay a damp cloth over the dent and put a hot spoon on top of it for a few seconds. Repeat a few times and if the steam can make it through the finish, you'll be good to go. Might not work, but it's worth a try.

To even out the finish afterwards, you might give it a rubdown with boiled linseed oil and rottenstone or something similar. That hides a multitude of small sins.

 

[bobsmith]

Good to know. I have a Parker Reproduction shotgun that I dented the stock on the first day I got it. I was removing the forearm and dropped it on the stock. The rear of the forend iron left a good sized nick on the stock that I have not been successful at removing.

 

[Rex B]

a thought

Have any of you tried removing the stock to get to the unfinished backside, then wetting it from the inside? That should get the water into the grain under the finish. I'd add a little surfectant like Dawn soap, and perhaps warm the water. You might be able to make a clay dam to isolate the moisture.
Heat from the outside as before.

 

[JNewell]

Unless the finish on your rifle is different than other Brownings I've seen, you are definitely going to have to make some pinholes to admit the steam.

 

[cox3497]

Wow,

Thanks for all the replies guys. That information helps a lot. Now it's time to get a ironin'! Thanks again.

cox3497