Patrick L
Member
As promised, here is the report on my refinish of the previously refinished Cokes.
I really do love the feel of these, and since they had previously been refinished by Bubba, I didn't think I was really hurting anything, and I ended up with something I will enjoy on the new 27-2 nickel long tom once the amendment to my permit goes through. As for value, I almost never let that dictate my actions. I guess my heirs will curse me out when I'm gone, but I suspect I'll die happy.
The grips had a heavy, glossy varnish on them, that had a few runs in it, plus a lot of chips in the finish. I am really a scraper at heart, and that Boker pocket knife takes a REAL sharp edge. I used the pen blade and a single edge razor blade to scrape most of the finish off dry
I then used some stripper to pull the remaining finish out of the wood, along with more scraping. I find a good clean scraping requires a lot less sanding. I don't like to sand as you tend to round off or flatten things if you're not real careful
I then did sand just a bit. VERY slight with 100 grit to clean up some deep scratches, then 320, 400, and 600. I recut some of the flattened diamonds with a single line checkering tool and a veiner. I didn;t cut too much, as I didn't want to overdo things.
I then did about three coats (just a few drops per coat) of pure Tung oil, hand rubbed until the friction was HOT to soak the oil in. Between coats, I buff the flats LIGHTLY with bronze wool. Then like two drops brushed into the checkering with a baby toothbrush.
I think they look pretty good
I like the slightly dull finish the tung oil gives. As I use them, they will take on a bit more lustre. In a few weeks, after the oil has really cured, I will give them a coat of wax, which will also add to the long term lustre.
I didn't think to take a picture of them before I started the project, so I looked quick. The only picture I can find is this one where they're on my 6 inch 27-2
So what do you think!
I really do love the feel of these, and since they had previously been refinished by Bubba, I didn't think I was really hurting anything, and I ended up with something I will enjoy on the new 27-2 nickel long tom once the amendment to my permit goes through. As for value, I almost never let that dictate my actions. I guess my heirs will curse me out when I'm gone, but I suspect I'll die happy.
The grips had a heavy, glossy varnish on them, that had a few runs in it, plus a lot of chips in the finish. I am really a scraper at heart, and that Boker pocket knife takes a REAL sharp edge. I used the pen blade and a single edge razor blade to scrape most of the finish off dry
I then used some stripper to pull the remaining finish out of the wood, along with more scraping. I find a good clean scraping requires a lot less sanding. I don't like to sand as you tend to round off or flatten things if you're not real careful
I then did sand just a bit. VERY slight with 100 grit to clean up some deep scratches, then 320, 400, and 600. I recut some of the flattened diamonds with a single line checkering tool and a veiner. I didn;t cut too much, as I didn't want to overdo things.
I then did about three coats (just a few drops per coat) of pure Tung oil, hand rubbed until the friction was HOT to soak the oil in. Between coats, I buff the flats LIGHTLY with bronze wool. Then like two drops brushed into the checkering with a baby toothbrush.
I think they look pretty good
I like the slightly dull finish the tung oil gives. As I use them, they will take on a bit more lustre. In a few weeks, after the oil has really cured, I will give them a coat of wax, which will also add to the long term lustre.
I didn't think to take a picture of them before I started the project, so I looked quick. The only picture I can find is this one where they're on my 6 inch 27-2
So what do you think!
