Finishing stocks with or without estacheons?

[bioprof]

I am in the final stages of finishing a rifle with keys to hold on the barrel. I applied about 6 coats of Tru-oil without the estacheons. When I got the stock to look pretty good, I had to scrape out the excess finish out of the inlets for the estacheons and ended up scratching the forend with the chisel. :cursing: Would it be better to apply the finish with the estacheons already in place? Could one cover them up with masking tape to avoid getting the oil finish on the inlets?

 

[Mike Brooks]

Would it be better to apply the finish with the estacheons already in place?

Yep it sure would. You can use steel wool or a pencil eraser to clean up the escutions.

 

[tnlonghunter]

The masking tape thing should work. I would think maybe one or two coats to make sure the wood is properly sealed, then put the estucheons on, cover them with tape and finish the finish. After that, remove the tape, and clean of any remaining adhesive with something that won't eat away at the finish (spit works well).

 

[pathfinderifh]

Mike's advise is the better way to do it. Masking tape leaves a residue thats hard to remove when I tried it years ago. I like simple and uncomplicated :thumbsup: Pathfinder

 

[Zonie]

I mask off the inlays on my guns with Scotch Magic tape and then trim off the excess with an Exacto Knife.
The advantage is because the tape is clear you can see precisely where to cut it at the edge of the inlay.
The only problem I've had is removing the tape when I'm done with the finish.
So far, I've found that if I can get an edge lifted (with the knife point), applying rubbing alchohol desolves the sticky glue.
This leaves the inlay undamaged.

Zonie (Jim)