how do i refinish m44 stock?

[WRENCHHEAD]

just purchased my first C&R, and i'm wondering how do i refish the stock? the color on it is gorgous but the shellac is worn/faded in some places. is there a way to remove the coating but still retain the color/stain?

i've looked around online and all insturctions advise on sanding it to start bare. any suggestions guys?

[icormba]

Use shellac to fill the voids. Shellac is suppose to blend with the original shellac very nicely. You are also keeping it original using shellac.

[cgmoe]

Avoid sanding unless it's absolutely necessary. You could try to "thin" or smooth the edges of the chipped areas with denatured alcohol, then go over it with new coats of shellac. You can add red food coloring to shellac if you want to try to get that Russian reddish orange color. Shellac can be reduced with denatured alcohol as well and can be applied in multiple coats.

[Zwingli]

If you get Garnet Shellac and mix it yourself and put several coats on it will come out exactly like the original--no need to add coloring. This site has the real stuff and instructions on how to mix it. shellac.net. The color will build up with each coat and it will melt into the sorrounding shellac--we're not doing a French polish here (which I first learned how to do in making musical intruments), so no need for a glass like finish. Oh and get dewaxed, its pain to dewax it.

Anything bought in a can will not do it--trust me

Also don't sand it like has been said. Further, straight shellac just slopped on like they did, comes off, so it will come off in the future, not much you can do about it.

[G-Man WC]

Don't. Just leave it as it is. -g

[Starlifter]

M44

Wipe down with alcohol first.