Terry, can you take a minute and describe what you do to the checkered portion during each stage? Does it have the pores filled? How do you remove the sealer during each application from these parts of the stock? Stuff like that.
The checkering doesn't get the filler treatment. In the end though, the checkering gets more finish than any other part of the stock. I sealed the stock with two coats before the pore filling process was began. After the pours were filled and sanded the stock was bare again except for the checkering. I never sanded that area. Then the stock was sealed again with 2 coats that were also applied to the checkering. After that I brushed one coat into the checkering and rubbed it out on the first finish coat. Every finish coat after that finish was going around the checkering but no really into it. I try to start in an area that's away from the checkering with fresh oil/finish and work up to the checkering. When I get to the checkering there isn't much rubbing finish left to get into it. Make no mistake though, when I'm buffing/rubbing the stock with the palm of my hand finish is going across the checkering but I try to keep it at minimal amount. the last thing I want is build up in that area.
As far as removing the sealer, you only do that once when sanding the excess filler off the stock. When you get all the excess filler off all the sealer is gone too. Then the stock is sealed a second time and after dried the finish coats go on.
Here is the list in order.
1. Strip
2. Repair any bad spots.
3. 2 coats of sealer on the entire stock, checkering and inletting included.
4. Apply filler and sand off. Repeat until you feel the pores are completely filled. Re-sealing isn't necessary between applications.
5. Finish sand.
6. Whisker
7. Stain (if applicable)
8. Seal again with 2 coats. Checkering and inletting included.
9. Hand rub finish in. Repeat until the desired finish is acquired.
