How to get out deep gouges in stock

[p14shooter]

OK guys,

I have read some of the posts regarding removing the dents and minor blemishes in stocks using the steaming method. And that is great. Now, is there anyway to fill deep gouges and still keep the stock looking fairly good? Some say there is a product called birchwood casey gun stock sealer & filler, has anyone else worked with this? I have bought an old cooey single shot 22 for the price of a coffee, and want to try my hand at refinishing it to see if I can do it. This way if I ever want to do something with my target rifles, I will have some confidence. I do not want to ruin the gun, but if I happen to, I will not be out anything.

 

[guntech]

Light dents are fairly easy to work as the material is there... gouges are different, the material is either gone or damaged beyond raising...

I don't know of any way of filling a gouge and making it look good, other than filling and paint.

 

[jiminthecorner]

You can try "plastic wood" and mix stain into it until it closely matches the rest of the stock.After it cures sand it flush with stock. It won't be perfect but won't be too noticable. Good Luck JITC

 

[stocker]

Most gouges have rough edges. You can sand the gouge smooth and build a small clay dam around it and fill it with marine epoxy (clear) to above the wood level. Wet sand it to wood level with fine sand paper finishing with 1500 grit. Then polish it with rottenstone or one of the commercial car paint buffers. Not invisible but you'll have to look hard to find it if you get the gouge smoothed properly before the epoxy is applied.

 

[Grouse Man]

I've read that steam will raise a dent.

 

[tiriaq]

If there is a gouge, wood is gone. I would stay away from plasitc wood, sawdust and epoxy, etc. Stocker's suggestion is interesting, but I've never tried it. Another option is fitting an inlay. A piece of wood that is as close a match as possible for grain and colour is inletted and dressed to the surface. You don't cut the wood to fit the gouge, you create an inlet to blank out the damage. This requires skill, but it is an option.