My pro stockmaker friend would mask off the checkering carefully and wet sand the stock with 380 grit wet or dry paper, then clean off any residue. If you use a commercial stock finish you can sand in the first few coats, which will fill the grain with the sanding dust mixed with finish. Sand between coats until the surface is smooth. Then apply several thin coats of finish.
I have used shellac to refinish a model 21 (original finish was an orange shella, I used a French Polish technique similar to what I used on some Art Deco furniture I worked on. Shellac is thinned with alcohol and succeeding coats partially melt the underlying coats of shellac. Gradually a unified, smooth finish is attained. Lots of work to apply and requires frequent maintenance. It is also easily damaged by water. Looks awesome, though.
Last edited by Chukarman; 07/20/18 05:37 PM.
