| Ironing works pretty well as long as the wood fibers aren't cut. if you don't want to use steam you can put a drop of isopropyl alcohol on the area and light it with a match. Have a damp rag ready to cover it with when it's raised the area, or if it wants to discolor the wood. That's and old cabinet refinishers trick.
If you want to use a nut with the small bolts for fastening the trigger guard, they will seat themselves in the soft wood inside where the rivet heads used to be.
I like tung oil best for use on guns and knives. It's very hard to scratch or chip, and very easy to repair if it does happen. You can use a sealer first coat to start the process by cutting it with 1/3 to 1/2 its volume with mineral spirits or thinner. It soaks into the wood better for adhesion, and then requires fewer coats to finish the piece.
If you see milky or smeary results on recoating you may not have let it dry throughly between applications. Depends on weather, but I like to do one coat a day, and dry it overnight.
If you want the mirror finish, end up the recoating process by using 400 or finer sandpaper or steel wool, then apply the last coat by wiping with a cotton ball or very soft lint free cloth. Use a light touch to minimize stroke marks, wipe in one direction only.
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Scourge of the Spaceways
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05-24-2007, 02:41 AM
