Paul, Steelie,

I did fill the pores by steel wooling the LinSpeed onto the stock till I filled the pores - not sure how many times I did this (~10-12). I applied 3 additional coats after I did this.

I really like the epoxy finish idea - should seal the wood. I'm hoping Mule Deer will respond as I seem to remember he had a waterproof stock finish technique that I can't recall.

Thanks for the responses.

Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it.