Advice on how to fix this scrape? Brand new shotgun!

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BillyBandue

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Hey All,

Picked up this Weatherby Element this week...had to order it from across Canada. It looks like in transit it was moving around in the box.

I want to state that the retailer I bought from has offered to make this right; they offered to give me a discount or I could return it if I desired. I decided to take the discount and try my hand and fixing the blemish.

I emailed Weatherby to ask about their stock finish but they just told me me I should bring it to a service center (not going to happen).

Some pics:

PXL-20230302-041827456.jpg

PXL-20230302-041837895.jpg

PXL-20230302-041855223.jpg


Would really appreciate some advice from the CGN crew on how you would approach this? I was thinking a bit of Tru-oil with some 0000 wool but it might need some stain though. I AM NOT a woodworker by any stretch but I am handy.

Thanks!
 
I would try the 0000 wool and Tru-Oil... lightly, wipe off and inspect... repeat as necessary ... I think it could be a fix worth trying, it certainly won't harm it.

Now there is a chance that finish is like thick varnish and after the steel wool may need a little polishing to come back to a higher sheen.
 
They offered you a discount all is good - try your hand at trying to remove the imperfections or remove the stock and take it to a reputable wood/cabinet making place and see what advice they give you. Me personally, I would just leave it as is and enjoy the shotgun - sooner or later it's gonna get dinged damaged anyway
 
If its a bit dented you can try to steam it out a bit but it looks like a shallow scrape that may involve mostly the finish and very little wood.
 
IvoB said:
... Me personally, I would just leave it as is and enjoy the shotgun - sooner or later it's gonna get dinged damaged anyway
Click to expand...

My approach as well - If it's going to see serious field use, it is GOING TO GET DINGED. Personally, I hate feeling like I need to baby any equipment to avoid normal wear and tear. With a field use gun, most of the time I am relieved when it gets its first scratch - I can stop worrying about keeping it pristine.

That said, if it's rough I might give it a bit of attention to help it shed water going forward. But unless you've got finishing experience, I think it's pretty hard to do without making it look worse, honestly.
 
Re gun finish

Get a bit of tung oil.
Put dab on each scratch with your finger.
Let it dry
once dried put on another dab.
6 small coats ought to do it.
The gun is going to get more scratches anyway
my 2 cents worth?
 
I more or less agree with colombe.
PURE tung oil has about the same sheen when the finish is built up. Polymerized tung oil has a higher sheen. I would not just put a dab on and let dry. I would put it on rather thickly the first time. Let it sit for a few minutes, wipe off and let dry. On subsequent coats, put just a little on your finger and rub in vigorously, wipe off any excess and let dry.
There appears to be a little roughness in that front scratch. If that is the case, I would very carefully touch it up with 320 sandpaper before applying the finish. Very lightly feather the edges, but try to stay within the scratch. You would be lucky to get a perfect match. As others have said, steaming can remove dents, but it might also make the finish blush or lift.
 
Hello all - thank you for all the replies. I started with a bit of Tru-oil and the 0000 wool; I applied some of the oil and wait a couple hours, then rub it a bit with the 0000 and wipe. I'm happy with where it's going, but I think it'll still need a substance with a bit of darkness in it to make it match well.

Updated pics:

PXL-20230303-162059203.jpg

PXL-20230303-162055240.jpg


Thoughts? Should I move to the Tung oil or will it give me similar results?
 
If it doesn't get darker, put half a drop of stain in a tiny amount of True Oil, and apply with you finger tip (like other said, use several thin coats).

You can buy the stain in the small "pen appliers", I would use some redish walnut stain.

If you do this well, nobody can see a difference.
The finish on your gun stock is one of the easier ones to repair.
 
partial said:
If it doesn't get darker, put half a drop of stain in a tiny amount of True Oil, and apply with you finger tip (like other said, use several thin coats).

You can buy the stain in the small "pen appliers", I would use some redish walnut stain.

If you do this well, nobody can see a difference.
The finish on your gun stock is one of the easier ones to repair.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this - I picked up a couple Minwax pens tonight. I got the dark walnut as well as the red mahogany; going to try them in a spot under the recoil pad with some Tru-oil as you note and take it from there.
 
BillyBandue said:
Thanks for this - I picked up a couple Minwax pens tonight. I got the dark walnut as well as the red mahogany; going to try them in a spot under the recoil pad with some Tru-oil as you note and take it from there.
Click to expand...

Under the pad will be end grain and it will react differently... it will soak up the colour more...
 
BillyBandue said:
Hello all - thank you for all the replies. I started with a bit of Tru-oil and the 0000 wool; I applied some of the oil and wait a couple hours, then rub it a bit with the 0000 and wipe. I'm happy with where it's going, but I think it'll still need a substance with a bit of darkness in it to make it match well.

Updated pics:

PXL-20230303-162059203.jpg

PXL-20230303-162055240.jpg


Thoughts? Should I move to the Tung oil or will it give me similar results?
Click to expand...

Meh.....I can still see it and my eyes are old....keep sanding boy....
 
That sucks. Had a similar problem but lucked out true oil was a perfect match. Mine was just tossed in the box, when I picked it up the front sight had torn a 3” long hole in the side of the box.
 
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