Wood stock waxing?

G

Gary O

Guest
I am ready to wax a new walnut stock, but read that I should not wax the checkered areas. What say you? Thanks...
 
I don't. The checkering is to get a grip. Cut checkering on my rifles appears to have no finish in it, would the wax in the checkering migrate into the stock and discolor it?
 
As a woodworker, I would think waxing a stock would make it slippery and shiny, and little else. I doubt either would be a benefit to checkering.
 
I do use paste wax on my wood stocks. It improves the grip and helps repel water when hunting in the rain. I also apply wax to the checkering with a toothbrush. Buff the stock with a dry rag and the checkering with a clean, dry toothbrush.
Bobby
 
I use oil to finishes my stocks, but wax after a year or so to keep a nicer finish long term. You need to put something on the checkering to seal it. Over time if it is not sealed it could lead to problems. I like Bobby's toothbrush approach.
 
Bobby Bailey said:
I do use paste wax on my wood stocks. It improves the grip and helps repel water when hunting in the rain. I also apply wax to the checkering with a toothbrush. Buff the stock with a dry rag and the checkering with a clean, dry toothbrush.
Bobby
Click to expand...

I agree... Johnson's Paste Wax does the job for me.
 
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I have tried several types of paste wax on wood stocks but was not very impressed. I finish my stocks with Tru-oil, which I then use pumice on for a dull-lustre finish. I put a little light oil on a flannel cloth and sprinkle pumice on it, then buff and wipe it off. I think the wax would effect the consistency of the resultant muted lustre. I generally thin a little Tru-oil in a film canister and brush it into the checkering with a tooth brush and then blot it good so there is no excess to make the checkering shiny. This seems to seal it.
 
Any kiln-dried wood that isn't 100% sealed is a disaster waiting to happen. If there is water out there, it will absorb it, and warpage is likely. Even if the wood has some moisture content, if it isn't sealed, the moisture content will change over time, and problems could occur.

I don't know the ins and outs of sealing with checkering, but I'd say you better find out. Then you can worry about the aesthetics.
 
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