Shaping laminated stock

[LiveFire]

I have a boyds thumbhole stock set given to me by a friend who didnt like it. It is for a CVA 44maf rifle. The buttstock and forestock both need some work. They are huge blocks of angled laminated wood. Since this stock set was from im going to try and reshape the forestock to a similar shape as the original plastic. I have questions.
1. The stock appears to have a smooth satin finish. Thats fine for my uses. Is there a general rule of thumb for sandpaper grit for a laminate stock as far as what to bring the bare wood to before the top coat?
2. Would the best choice be a chemical stripper? Ive read boyds may use a lacquer type finish. I am not sure what I will use to finish it.
3. This rifle is my primary deer gun. It will be used in rain and snow as well as high humidity in the summer as I like to shoot it year round. Any suggestions on a satin type finish or product to use that will keep the stock safe from wetness?

Thanks for the help. The pictures below I think will show why I want to shape it a little. It cant be as small as the plastic stock but close I hope. I feel like im holding my old mossberg 500 when i shoulder it.

 

[joshb]

Get a good palm sander (I like Dewalt, Bosch and Porter Cable) and buy paper for it in 80, 120 and 220 grit. Do your major shaping with the 80 grit, then smooth it with the 120 and 220. Finish? Varnish or epoxy for “waterproof “.

 

[ronemus]

Polyurethane with or without stain would be my choice for water resistance and durability. Auto clear coat looks great and is as good as polyurethane, but it can be tricky to work with, especially for touch-ups.

 

[joshb]

Polyurethane with or without stain would be my choice for water resistance and durability. Auto clear coat looks great and is as good as polyurethane, but it can be tricky to work with, especially for touch-ups.

Yes but Varnish is “outdoor urethane”.

 

[ronemus]

Yes but Varnish is “outdoor urethane”.

Not all varnish is urethane, and other types just don't cut it for water resistance or durability.

 

[joshb]

Yeah, point taken. Most of the stores I’ve visited recently don’t carry good old varnish. It’s all “urethane varnish”. To be more correct, it should be Spar for outdoor use. Telling a guy to use polyurethane is misleading. He should look for Spar Polyurethane Varnish if you like it better. I prefer Man ‘O War Spar Varnish because it’s been a family favorite for 90 years. My Grandpa was a boat builder and that’s all he used.

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

So

Not all varnish is urethane, and other types just don't cut it for water resistance or durability.

So, phenolic and alkyd varnishes don't cut it? They are both superior to(and more expensive than) urethane varnishes in most respects.
Not sure what other kinds there are....

 

[22LRaddict]

Depending on how much shaping a Nicholson #50 would be my goto. Then 80-400 grit. Wiskering between sandpaper grits. Then whatever oil/varnish you like. I use a couple different ones. Heres a picture of a 52B I saved from winding up as parts. Stock was a mess but perfect metal thank god! Yes the stock is orginal, finish is better than new!

 

[LiveFire]

Thank you all for the help. Im gonna try to work on it over the holiday weekend here. I mainly want to remove some of the "bull nose" of the front and thin it out a little. Just feels like im holding a 2x4.

 

[22LRaddict]

I'll send you some rasps to borrow if you need them. Just make sure I get them back!

 

[LiveFire]

Such a generous offer. I would accept but im going to be visiting my brother who is a carpenter over the holiday. He has what I need I believe. Again thank you.

 

[22LRaddict]

Such a generous offer. I would accept but im going to be visiting my brother who is a carpenter over the holiday. He has what I need I believe. Again thank you.

no worries, offer stands if needed. Happy Turkey Day

 

[Riesel]

Automotive Clear Coat

 

[LiveFire]

Automotive Clear Coat

I wondered about that. I have a decent air brush set up I use for duracoat. I wondered how automotive clear would look sprayed on.

 

[tikkaman308]

It almost looks like the laminated piece was "inletted" backwards if you look at the 2 profiles of both forearms

 

[LiveFire]

It almost looks like the laminated piece was "inletted" backwards if you look at the 2 profiles of both forearms

Yea. They arent very pretty. The buttstock is a giant chunk as well. The quality isnt quite there with it either. There are two screw holes for attaching the metal latch work inside the forend to take the gun apart and one of the holes is open on one side ill have to repair.

 

[LiveFire]

Here are some more pics. The arrow points to a place where the broke through the side of the hole they drilled or something like that.

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

Are you sure that's a Boyd's? I have two of them, and they certainly seem to be a higher quality product than that...

 

[tikkaman308]

I have 4 or 5 Boyds stocks and all have fit perfectly, they do sell discounted "blems" and maybe that is what OP's friend bought or had

 

[LiveFire]

No idea as to if its a blem or not. I have the box it came in and the barcode on the end. Maybe somebody can determine if its a blem from that. Its not terribly important to me though as it was free and if I just put a bit elbow grease into it I think itll be a lot nicer than it came.