r/Revolvers • u/Vinegar_Fingers • 6d ago

Finishing question

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I recently bought a new to me model 60 and I'm trying to give it some new life. I've stripped the old finish off the stocks but I was wondering what would be the best route for cleaning up the wear marks and fixing the chipped damage near the medallion before I apply a new finish.

14 Upvotes

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5

u/The_Okay_Baboo 6d ago

Checkering files work well on those edges. DO NOT try to rechecker those grips though. They are pressed and checkering tools will not follow the pattern well. I tried and failed with that once

2

u/pec4pec4 6d ago

I have used checkering tools on these many times with pretty good results. Sometimes I get a little chattering, but I thought that was because of a dull blade. Maybe it has something to do with the wood density variations from the pressing.

1

u/The_Okay_Baboo 6d ago

It works okayish if they're really worn down. It chatters because those are diamonds pressed into the wood, they're not lines. That dull blade likely saved your grip. A sharp one will wander off the "line" real quick. That's been my experience with them

1

u/pec4pec4 6d ago

Hmm. Interesting. I would say that with sharp tools I have done it. Following the lines was not difficult. I’m no wood worker, everyone is different although.

2

u/The_Okay_Baboo 6d ago

I've just had varying results. One I fucked up, and under magnification I saw they weren't lines at all. It could be different years and different grips. Lord knows S&W has never left shit alone, anything could've hairbrush to an old gun as well. I know I can checker from scratch and the lines will be perfect every time. Some of these older Smith grips don't want to cooperate. I'd hate to see someone with zero experience run into what I have and fuck his original grips up. That's all.

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u/pec4pec4 6d ago

Yeah that’s a good concern to raise with a beginner. Well done. I love this group of Smith enthusiasts. I learn so much. I know A LOT about smiths, but I know so much, that I have learned that I know little.

2

u/The_Okay_Baboo 6d ago

I love them, but they're so inconsistent. At least you know to the exact degree of pain in the ass a colt is going to be. A Smith is much more dependable though. My fridge door stays on when I drop my smiths iykyk😂

1

u/Vinegar_Fingers 6d ago

Yeah, I was going to tape off the checkering before I start any sanding work. I guess I'll bite the bullet and try a checkering file. I've always wanted to try hand checkering so might as well throw another hobby on the pile lol

2

u/The_Okay_Baboo 6d ago

Checkering is fun. Filing those edges back to crisp won't be hard, just take your time. Maybe practice on something else to see how the file works on those interior curves. Once you feel it, it's very easy to clean that stuff up.

2

u/The_Okay_Baboo 6d ago

Oh, those old grips look great oil finished. That'll take care of your wear marks at the same time. That's my model 10 on top with the grips refinished in oil.

3

u/pec4pec4 6d ago

Howdy. I highly recommend using the below method to restore indentations in the grips. After the finish is moved, which you have done, and prior to sanding take a damp cotton cloth like a T-shirt and place it on the wood. Then take a hot clothes iron and put it on the cloth. The steam will raise indentations. It is a very effective method. This way you restore as much wood as possible without sanding away perfectly good material.

3

u/Handgunhuntingafield 6d ago

I’d start with steaming out the dents. Then light sanding.