doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Chip repair on an Ithaca lacquer finish

I recently acquired a high condition Ithaca SBT from 1961. It has two pea size chips out of the high gloss finish on the toe of the buttstock. I was told that these would be repairable if I applied multiple coats of laquer with a tiny brush over time. Any suggestions on what product to use?
Thanks!

If it is lacquer, best product that is readily available is going to be Behlen's. Available in several levels of gloss. I get mine from Woodworker's Supply, but some Rockler stores carry their gloss lacquer in rattle cans.

It would be nice to try a hidden test area. There are tons of how to's floating around.

I'd consider cleaning well with something that leaves the current finish alone and doesn't leave a residue. There's a fair chance, that if it's lacquer, then lacquer thinner will soften the current finish. Maybe, one of those small artist brushes can pick up a little thinner and blend old finish evenly over the chip. That may be all it takes.

If the lacquer thinner softens the finish and you want to add more finish, I'd try to track down a nitro cellulose based lacquer. Go as quick as you can laying it down, a little irregular is okay. Then do the careful blend again after it seems to set. Best of luck with it.

There are a lot of Ithaca SBTs out there with chipped finishes. My inclination is to live with the chips unless they really get under your skin. The other issue those built-up finishes have is cracks, but that's another story, another day.

I would stay away from any thinner. That stuff can run amuck.

What I would do, and I have done this before, is build up the chipped area with dabbed on lacquer, thin coats at a time, and then take it down level with the original finish with something like 1000 grit paper, and finish with a polishing compound. Agonizingly tedious.

Dr. P,
I just talked with a friend who was quite proficient with chip repairs. His memory is failing a bit. He doesn't remember what kind of lacquer he used-"what ever I got at a hardware store." The company used Duco lacquer that was discontinued a while back. DuPont may be able to recommend its replacement. I remember Bill saying he added new lacquer to the chipped area a little at a time with a artist brush. He used a small high intensity lamp to warm the area so he could apply more than one coat at a session. Still, as Ithaca 5E posted, it is a slow process BUT the gun is certainly useable while the process is in progress.' Ithaca 5E pretty much summed it up and I certainly agree with him.
I do know that Bill's work was highly successful and one could not find the repair when he was finished. It had to be a labor of love.

Behlen's is nitrocellulose. geeze... Just do it.

Thanks all, great suggestions !