Sun Damaged Wood Refinishing

[VanIsleCam]

Hey all:
What follows is two pics of the handpiece and butt from the 870 I bought (sigh my first firearm). As you can see, one side of the handpiece is lighter in colour. I suspect that it sat beside a window and ended up being sun bleached on one side. In fact, I am not sure if you can see it in the pics but there is a diagonal line cross a portion of the front end. I am guessing weird curtain angle. Anyways, does this change what I should do when prepping the wood for refinishing?



And the other side looks like this....



Signed,
Original condition,
LOL

 

[BCRider]

If it bleached that suggests that it was stained and the stain was bleached out. So after you strip both parts all the wood should look the same.

Not a lot of woods actually lighten from sunlight. And in fact many darken. Which is why I'm thinking that these pieces are stained. Or even a transparent tint is used in the varnish or other coating used for finishing the wood.

 

[Archer Sam]

X2 on BC Riders comments.

 

[kamlooky]

Big fisted previous owner probably wore the finish awff?

 

[Magellann]

Thats my thought as well.

 

[guntech]

It could very well be what is called 'sapwood'. It is a light coloured stripe in the walnut. You will see when you sand the wood... If it turns out dark and even lighter... Quite common in cheaper cuts of wood.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=sapwood&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=FyKhVeK8F8bboAT94KWIAQ

 

[longbranch*]

Think those earlier plain 870's might have had a slight stain varnish finish which may have faded. I'd leave it as-is if it were mine. What ever you do don't sand it. Just use poly-strippa with fine steel wool and finish with either boiled linseed or tung oil or satin Varathane etc.