My Henry that needs a good ol fixen.

Quaidorade

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Figured this would be best place to ask redirect me if I'm wrong. So I was out and about at the range with some friends, and one of them carelessly dropped my sks onto my Henry mares leg. Needless to say it scratched it. Thus here I am seeking advice as to how to go about repairing it, under normal circumstances I take good enough care of my firearms that an issue like this has yet to surface so guidance is needed. (Picture) Wondering is there a decent way to go about doing this my self or am I better off just to take it to a professional. I'd like to learn so any tips much appreciated. (Another Picture)
 
Leave it and get used to it... The finish appears very thick... if you can sand through it with 400 grit paper, without getting down to wood, you will have a flat spot that will look obvious.
 
I say leave it too. If you are going to be using your gun, that won't be the last scratch. And only the first one is a big deal. the rest come easier. If you really need to do something to it, Lee Valley has touchup markers, just match the finish.
 
That rifle is ruined, Ill give you $50 for it, might as well cut your losses.

But seriously, either sand it out or get used to it. Rifles, especially hunting rifles eventually get dings or scratches. Thats a nice rifle though so Id call it added character and take it out more often now.
 
Could be worse an old guy at the range asked if he could try my Henry frontier, of course I obliged so what does the old guy do everytime he racks the lever he hits the benchrest(made of cement) and puts three dings on the bottom of the stock! Only the Second time out with it. old guy looked mortified!
Sh*t happens!
 
I'm not to sure where my can of this is but if I remember correctly I think it's called Circa 1850 furniture restorer.What it does is soften the finish and allow you blend in the surrounding finish into the scratch.I use extra fine steel wool in a light circular motion.This works great on modern finishes that are just a stained polyurethane.After allowing the area to dry just apply a light coat of furniture wax and you will hardly tell the scratch is there unless there is also a ding.
 
I'd just rub a little varnish on in or use that wax mentioned already.

Henry uses a tinted finishing product to both "stain" and finish at the same time. But it mostly just makes a finish which is muddy looking. The trick is that to repair it you'd need to use the same tinted varnish or lacquer or whatever it was that they used.

So all in all I'd day just stick one of the bandaid solutions on it that have been mentioned and call it OK for now. At some point in the future if you're looking for a full on project have a go at a full on stock strip down and refinish using a leather dye to stain the wood and tung or boiled linseed oil for a more classic looking old tyme oiled finish.
 
Any good paint store should be able to help you match up a product and you could even experiment with tints on the inside of the butt stock if you rey move it.
You could also email Henry and find out what product they use.
 
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