Stripping the Old Finish

• 1
  This stock needs serious refinishing.
  
  Lay out a drop cloth to catch runoff from the stripping process.
  
  
• 2). Unscrew the butt plate.
  
  
• 3). Apply stripper to the stock with a brush. Use either a toothbrush or a small detailing brush to get to the hard-to-reach places.
  
  
• 4). Wait between 15 and 25 minutes, as directed by the instructions on the stripper bottler.
  
  
• 5). Check the progress of the stripping by trying to move the sludge with a plastic scraper. If it comes off easily, the stripper is done. If not, wait longer.
  
  
• 6). Scrape the old finish off with the plastic scraper.
  
  
• 7). Repeat the process if necessary.
  
  

Removing Imperfections

• 1). Place a wet washcloth over dents and scratches in the stock, and then even these out by pressing the wood around them with the iron.
  
  
• 2
  Chequering
  
  Remove the remaining trace imperfection using the sanding block with medium-grade sandpaper. Be careful to not take off too much wood. Major dents and scratches should be dealt with by pressing, and sanding is just to touch up. Do not sand the chequering.
  
  
• 3). Create a smooth finish with the sanding block and a fine grade of sandpaper.
  
  

Finishing

• 1). Apply wood finish with the brushes to the stock, and leave this to dry for several hours.
  
  
• 2). Apply lacquer to the stock with the brushes, leaving each layer to dry for several hours apiece. Between two and four layers will be necessary.
  
  
• 3
  Sanding chequering damages it, and should only be done to remove it.
  
  Screw the butt plate back on.