Cleaning and sharpening Grip Checkering

[C Broad Arrow]

I am going to strip the grips on my Model 28. I was wondering what tool I would need to clean and sharpen the checkering on the grips as part of the process of refinishing the grips. If you have any suggestions please let me know, including tool information.

Thanks!

 

[TAROMAN]

First, soak the stocks in acetone. A coupe hours. Then scrub them with a bristle brush (I use an M16 brush).
To re-cut the checkering, I use a pair of 90 degree pointing tools. One is set up to cut on the push stroke and the other for the pull.
Depending on the grain, one or the other will cut better.
Work slowly and you can clean up the checkering better than new:

 

[C Broad Arrow]

Taroman....thanks for the advice. Where did you get you 90 degree tools...do you have a link?

 

[TAROMAN]

Get the PL90F cutters.
Use these with H3 handles.

 

[Mr Pokeyman]

Do you use the bristle brush while the grips are still wet from the acetone or do let it dry first? Do you remove the emblems to do this or leave them alone? What do you use to sand the wood? I need to do this to some of my grips and have been wondering how to do it. Yours are great!

 

[TAROMAN]

Yes, scrub when wet, dipping the brush into the acetone as needed.
Blinding flash of the obvious: Use proper PPE!
I scrub right over the medallions, they clean nicely.
Sand with 320, then 400, then 600.
I hand rub very thin coats of Tru-Oil on the smooth parts avoiding the medallions.
After 5-6 coats dry thoroughly, I wet sand with 1200, and add more coats. Continue until it looks good to you.
Afterwards, I brush 1 coat into the checkering.
Repairing cracks, gouges and dents is another matter altogether.

 

[C Broad Arrow]

Taroman..Thanks again for a great post. Of the tools you pointed to in your post they provide so many variants. Which of those shown on the links do you recommend?

 

[TAROMAN]

The PL90F cutters and H3 handles that I referenced. Everything is on one page, so I couldn't link to a specific item.

 

[jepp2]

I soak my grips overnight in acetone. I find it takes less brushing to remove the old finish. I put them in a metal bread pan, fill with enough acetone to cover them and put aluminum foil over it to reduce fluid loss. Leave the medallions in place. The acetone will not affect them. Wear gloves as the acetone will take the skin oil right off your hands.

A really good post on grip refinishing can be found here