The information below describes and shows the process of touching up the finish on a gun stock. The gun used for this demonstration is a Savage Model 24H-DL Ducks Limited 22 Magnum/20 Gauge Over/Under Combination gun with serial number 8UP. The photo below shows the Savage Combination gun:
This gun makes an excellent demonstration example because some finish on the stock and forend has been worn/scratched/rubbed off.Boiled Linseed Oil is used to touch up a Linseed Oil Finish and Pure Tung Oil is used to touch up a Tung Oil Finish. Minwax Antique Oil Finish is used to touch up a sealed finish of Varnish, Polyurethane, etc.. As indicated in an email message from Minwax, regarding their Tung Oil/Varnish (Minwax Tung Oil Finish) and Linseed Oil/Varnish (Minwax Antique Oil Finish):
"Both finishes are penetrating, oil-based, hand-rubbed finishes. The Tung Oil Finish is derived from oil extracted from the tung nut blended with an alkyd varnish resin. The Antique Oil Finish is derived from linseed oil blended with an alkyd varnish resin. Both finishes create a natural feel and appearance to wood (protection lies within the wood grain not on top of the wood). Overall, the Antique Oil Finish is a more durable finish and will have a softer look to the finish."It is important to remember that once an Oil/Varnish Finish is applied, only that finish should be used to refresh/renew the finish. Do not apply an Oil Finish on top of an Oil/Varnish Finish because the Oil Finish will be repelled by the Oil/Varnish Finish and will result in a gummy finish.
The touch-up procedure for sealed finishes such Varnish, Polyurethane, etc. follows: Touch-Up Procedure For Sealed Finishes
1. Clean thoroughly using Mineral Spirits using fine bristled nylon brush for cleaning checkering. 2. Allow to thoroughly dry. 3. Apply Minwax Antique Oil Finish using soft cloth and fine bristled nylon brush in checkering. 4. Immediately buff with soft cloth using fine bristled nylon brush in checkering. 5. Apply two more applications 24 hours apart. The photos below show the stock and forend after cleaning thoroughly with Mineral Spirits:
The photos below show the stock and forend after one application of Minwax Antique Oil Finish:
The photos below show the stock and forend after three applications of Minwax Antique Oil Finish:
The photos below show the touched up Savage Model 24H-DL: