Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing stock finish question

I am getting a set of unfinished checkered grips for my 1911. Have no experience finishing checkering. Plan on using Truoil. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Normally the checkering is cut after the wood is finished.
I have taped over checkering. Did my finish then put a thinned coat of finish on the checkering. Normally on a refinish.

Truoil is not my favorite finish, I prefer Linspeed, Pro Custom Oil or Timberluxe. Whichever you use, thin with mineral spirits and apply with an old toothbrush. While it is true that checkering is cut after finishing, it needs an application of finish to protect and seal the wood.

I disagree...

For finishing checkering you will see absolutely no difference between any of the listed finishes...

As to how much good a single coat of brushed-in oil finish will do... not so much. Top-end guys usually leave the checkering exactly as they cut it and quite "white" compared to the finish. There will be checkering cuttings or "dust" in the diamonds.

Among other things it shows it was hand-cut.

Don't know if it is correct or not, but I have always cut my checkering before finishing the entire stock.Then I mask the checkering while finishing the stock. One the stock is done.I go over the edges of the checkering to remove any finish that may have leaked under the masking.

I then apply finish to the checkering with two coats of the same finishing product,but take off as much as I can with a tooth brush.
I am not with the big boys,but this method works for me.

SD is there some reason that you cannot simply post your advice? Why so intolerant of advice other than your own? Haven't you ever heard that there are more than one way to skin a cat? Why do you continue to attack my posts and not the above post that offers advice similar to mine? Please take the time to read my posts before launching into attack mode, you will note that I never said there was any difference in finishes, just that tru-oil was not my favorite. Neither did I say anything about just one coat of finish. Please refrain from putting works in my mouth. Thank you for your understanding and consideration, it is sincerely appreciated.