Back in the early '80s, I worked for a master gunsmith. My apartment burned, and the combination of smoke and water damage attacked all my blued guns. He used the hot tank to strip the furniture - not only did it strip all the oil and finish away, it also raised dents and closed cuts and scratches. Let them dry overnight, then sand, tack cloth, and several coats of Tru-oil rubbed in with fingertips. I spent several evenings rubbing Tru-oil, but made some beautiful finishes on my Dad's Remington Model 12 .22 pump and my Grandpa's Winchester Model 12 12ga. The 12ga had several cuts and dents - it had seen a lot of use and a barbed wire fence or two. Came out looking like a ''70s Wingmaster - deep, glossy finish.