JJ,<P>I think Sheister covered all the bases pretty well. There are perhaps a few more tidbits to throw in.<P>The following is a recommendation from Boyds' Gunstocks on finishing wood stocks:<P>To get a professional finish on your stock, finish sand to 180 grit. Spray or pour on a liberal coat of Tru-Oil and wipe away any runs. Once dry, repeat the process with Tru-Oil again, this time, however, lightly sand with 180 grit sandpaper the stock while the finish is still wet. This will mix small sawdust particles with the finish and assist in filling in the pours of the material. Allow to completely dry and repeat the process as many times necessary until the pours are completely filled. Let set for 24 hours, then scuff the stock with a very fine grit sandpaper or use steel wool, be careful not to sand to raw wood. When this is completed use compressed air to remove small particles and a tack cloth to remove any excess debris. The stock is now ready for waxing for a low sheen finish.<P>Boyds recommends Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil and Wax. I'm sure there are many others that would do as well.<P>For recoil pads, the advice is similar to Sheister's, although his advice is much more in depth. For installing a pad, push a sharp scribe coated in vaseline through the screw holes form the inside out the back of the pad, then remove the scribe. Use a razor blade to cut an X in the top of the pad at the location where the scribe holes came through the pad. Next, coat the screw and screwdriver shaft with vaseline and install the screws where your Xs were placed. This leaves a presentation of the screw holes in the pad being invisible.<P>Good Luck, <BR>~rossi~
