Epoxy grain filler? Then what?

Take what they say in the midway video's with a grain of salt. Some of the stuff they do in them id never be caught doing as a smith (new firing pin held in the old with loctite)
 
Things I have learned about using Varathane:

1. Use your first coats thick, straight out of the can. On open grained walnut like the Ross stock I'm doing I would go five or six thick coats, as thick as I could go without getting runs, before attempting to sand it. Especially if I've stained the stock.

2. Once it's built up more than sufficiently heavy, use 600 grit sandpaper on a backing block wherever you can use the block. Sand towards the edges when near them, not back and forth. Then use 600 and your hand to get the rest. This will show any bad low spots you need to fill, like any small ding, gouge etc that you've missed. Spot fill these holes and then once dry sand them out again, repeat until full.

3. Now this is where I'm at on this particular stock. Thin the hell out of the Varathane with water. Find a good applicator that will allow you to put it on thin and streak free as possible. I'm going to do a bunch of coats like this and sand it with 600 again until it is perfectly smooth. Then I plan on one last super super thinned coat over that which I will let stand and check the results. If it's not to my liking wether too shiny or whatever I will rub it down accordingly with either the 2000 grit or polishing compound until the finish I wanted appears.

It is looking great so far, thanks a bunch for all the help everyone.
 
For your final coats I use a spray can of varathane. hang your stock up and give it light but even coats, too heavy and it will run and sag, too light and it will pebble, you gotta get it just right. If you do you will have a high gloss perfect finish.
 
I wound up not being able to find a aerosol can of varathane locally. My wife has some really nice sponge type applicators she uses for doll making. I thinned the Varathane until it was like really thin milky water and then applied it for the final coats. It worked well but I think the air in my house is a bit too dusty and I got a little dust in the finish. Overall I'm fairly happy though for a first run at it.

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I am against varnish as it can hold moisture in wood- i dry sand with 2000 grit till super smooth-several coats of tung oil let each coat dry at least 18 hrs in between coatings-then several coats of a good paste wax.bufiing each coat after it dries --and the best part your gun stock will never rot
good luck
 
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