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mcmillan stock finishes??

skeetlee

Lee Gardner Precision
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first let me say i tried to find some info on this subject before i posted but came up short. I would like to know how or what to use to finish a mcmillan stock to give it a nice shine? I have used buffing compounds with limited success. There are tons of fine scratches in these stocks that i cant get out? One fella told me to have the auto body shot clear coat them. Would that work? would you still see the scratches? What can you do to really set the look off of a mcmillan fiberglass or graphite stock? thanks Lee
 
Mcmillan stock question ???
« on: 07:49 PM, 09/17/09 »Reply Quote I have been told that i need to have an automotive clear coat put on my mcmillan stocks to make them look nicer. I am ok with that but i am afraid that the scratches will still show. does anyone have any first hand experience with what i am talking about? Thanks Lee Logged
SF340Driver
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Mcmillan stock question ???
« Reply #1 on: 10:35 PM, 09/17/09 »Reply Quote High grit sandpaper and elbow grease will polish it right up. No need for clearcoat unless your lazy.

Any high polish surface will scratch easily. Logged

lynn
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Mcmillan stock question ???
« Reply #2 on: 01:12 AM, 09/18/09 »Reply Quote SkeetLee
Most guys leave them as they receive them.You can sand them and have them cleared and they will look very nice but if you have a stripe down the middle it still shows.
Another option is to have them painted or hydro-dipped to cover everything up.
I just received my new 6Dasher and the stock isn't one that would look good clearcoated so I will either have it painted or dipped.
Lynn Logged
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Mcmillan stock question ???
« Reply #3 on: 02:12 PM, 09/21/09 »Reply Quote Guys, i polish them with buffer after you sand them,use a sanding block.then buff,i use canopy cleaner the stuff to take the scratches out airplane Plexiglas. If you use paint or clear,you will have to use stock tape or the cordura on the bags will scratch the paint,or when you bump a concrete bench..............jim Logged
alf
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Mcmillan stock question ???
« Reply #4 on: 02:52 PM, 09/21/09 »Reply Quote Modify Remove I use wet/dry sandpaper under the dripping faucet. Start with 400 grit, using a block, and end up with 1500. Gives you the clear coat look without the upkeep.

skeetlee
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Mcmillan stock question ???
« Reply #5 on: 07:47 PM, 09/23/09 »Reply Quote I have been using buffing and polishing compounds on my cloth wheel in the grinder. It is working pretty good but i went a little to far in one spot. I still see the scratches and i am afraid to go any further or i will be into the tape. Lee Logged
 
It would seem from that string of posts that Skeetlee has a short memory or memree. May I answer with some questions? How do you shoot? How does the gun shoot? How well do you want to shoot? Wax the stock and go shoot. Forget about the scratches for now. I have seen ugly guns shoot pretty and pretty guns shoot ugly. What's your pleasure?
 
I do have a short memory for sure!! Anyway i tried to find my old post so i could just bump it while looking for some solid info. Alf sorry to be a bother to you, i dont mean to!!
I invest a lot of money into these stocks and i think it would be nice if i could give one the proper finish. I also think the proper finish, would help it slide in the bags a bit better??? I use polishing compounds but i have to be extremely careful or it will burn through. I am no way near getting all the scratches out before this starts to happen. there has to be a better way. I was told that a clear coat will not fill the scratches. I dont know why it wouldnt, if done correctly. That's the info i am after please. Has anyone actually done this?
The winter will be long and i am making my list of projects. I guess that what rekindled my interest in finishing my stocks. Just looking for something to do, besides bother you folks!! LOL!!!! Really!!! Thanks a bunch, I mean no harm!!!! Lee
 
Never liked the molded in swirl colors/patterns so all of my McMillans get painted. Use a quality automotive two part sandable primer, a couple of coats with light sanding between coats, then a couple of quality two part color coats with very fine wet sanding in between, and top it of with a two part clear cloat. The scratches will have been filled if you did it right, and you'll have a better looking rifle.

If you want something really different you can go to House of Color and get any color you can dream of.
 
I even checked into the thermo wood coatings, the kind they dip on, but man were they expensive!! 400 bucks to dip the stock. I like the swirl colors that McMillan has, its just the fact that the stocks are so dull and full of scratches. I tried the wet sand approach last winter but i must not have done it correctly. I am going to go down the road and talk with the body shop again. last time i was there they recommended i buff the stock to a shine. It works but not to the effect i am after. I want an extremely hard, slick, shinny surface. thanks Lee
 
I have had great success with PPG Deltron automotive clear
on my Shehane MBR Tracker.While the stock is a wood laminate,I sanded it to a 400grit finish which does show some fine scratches. After shooting it with 4 coats allowed to flash between each coat I was very pleased with the end result.
I can not see a single scratch through the clear.I plan on doing a McMillan 'glass stock in the future and I think the most important thing with a fiberglas stock is to start with a stock that has'nt been sanded down to far so you don't "burn through" I do think 3-4 coats would hide the scratches on a
McMillan
Matt
 
17VLD
Do you do this yourself or have it done? Can i buy this clear coat on the shelf at an automotive store? Thanks man!! Lee
 

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