Author Topic: HW98 is Finally Finished!! (Read 13648 times))

Nitrocrushr · « **on:** March 28, 2015, 11:28:23 PM »

I got my new HW98 a while back and decided to send the action off to Motorhead right away for a tip to tail tune and a Vortek PG2 kit.

While the action was being tuned I figured I would strip and refinish the stock. The factory finish wasn't blended all that well and just lacked depth. It looked like there might be some nice grain, but it was difficult to tell. I knew it was going to be challenging because my research on this stock indicated that I would have to stay away from the black stippling during the stripping process or run the risk of the black stippling material bleeding out into the wood grain, resulting in a possible ruined stock. I planned it out carefully and decided to strip the large areas first, brushing the stripper within 1/2" of the stippling, then come back in step 2 and using a tiny artists brush, carefully apply the stripper around the stippled areas. It worked like a charm!!! The end result was a cleanly stripped stock, with no bleeding out into the surrounding wood grain

Next was a good scrubbing with denatured alcohol, followed by water based pre-stain then a couple coats of Birchwood Casey water based Walnut Stain and many hand rubbed coats of Royal London Oil.

Here are some before, during and after pictures of my HW98. You'll see that I also added a polished aluminum trigger guard from Rowan Engineering. Looks pretty cool with the silver trigger.

This project took quite a bit of time due to the fact that every step required carefully working around the black stippled areas. But, the end result is what I was looking for. The grain, which was flat and somewhat hidden before, now stands out and has much more depth to it

I will let it cure for a week, then rub down with Maccari Stock Mud, followed by 2 top coats of Minwax Finishing Paste.

Tomorrow will be day 1 at the range with the HW98.....I can't wait

I am VERY impressed so far with how solidly built this rifle is, and I love the adjustability of the cheek piece and the recoil pad.

Here is a "before" picture

During the stripping process, notice the stripper going just to the edge of the stippling

Here is the stripped stock

And here are a bunch of pictures after I finished it up this evening

grauhanen · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2015, 11:33:51 PM »

Very nice work!

Hangtown-Shooter · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2015, 11:41:32 PM »

That rifle looks SEXY! Great job

Nitrocrushr · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2015, 11:57:49 PM »

Thanks

TheBman · « **Reply #4 on:** March 29, 2015, 12:03:48 AM »

Wow...that is NICE!

Hangtown-Shooter · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2015, 12:07:20 AM »

With the full treatment from Motorhead I bet she will shoot as nice as she look's too!

Looking forward to your report, enjoy that beautiful new rifle

ptpalpha · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2015, 12:24:41 AM »

Holy Cow, Steve! That almost looks like curly maple with the feathering the grain shows. Really nice work. Can't wait to hear how accurate she is.

ancient1one · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2015, 12:30:51 AM »

You did an awesome job.. Your 98 looks incredible. The trigger guard is the icing on the cake. Enjoy that sweet looking 98.

Yak54 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2015, 12:39:35 AM »

WOW ! I'd sure be proud to own a rifle that pretty, especially since you did the work to make it so. Beeuutiful !!!

Tomcat · « **Reply #9 on:** March 29, 2015, 01:27:20 AM »

Great job on that stock! It looks much better. The grain really stands out now.

palonej · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2015, 07:56:41 AM »

WOW!!!
Looks GORGEOUS Steve!!!
What a sexy lady!!
You will truly treasure this rifle bro......BTW my stock is on it's way to you!!!

T-Higgs · « **Reply #11 on:** March 29, 2015, 09:11:28 AM »

Nice job Steve. Stock looks great. Can't wait to hear the motorized performance report.
I recently did a refinish of my Ri. It's awesome to make the gun "your own". Still waiting waiting for my adjustable recoil pad to come in.

palonej · « **Reply #12 on:** March 29, 2015, 09:19:38 AM »

Love the job you did on that one Tim!
Where did you order the plates from?? I got 2 from Rowan for my TX and Pro Sport. Love them!

T-Higgs · « **Reply #13 on:** March 29, 2015, 09:26:22 AM »

I ordered a morgan adjustable recoil pad. I should have done this before I refinished the stock. They are grind/polish to fit. I'm going to have to keep my head out of the "southern divide" when I do this one. If you know what I mean...

palonej · « **Reply #14 on:** March 29, 2015, 09:42:54 AM »

I hear ya Tim!!!
And the visual is hysterical!!
Pics when finished please!

The Rowan pads fit almost perfectly so I left them alone.
They are very robust and perform great.

Nitrocrushr · « **Reply #15 on:** March 29, 2015, 09:55:46 AM »

Thanks everyone!! This one took a while but I am happy with the results

Quote from: T-Higgs on March 29, 2015, 09:11:28 AM

Nice job Steve. Stock looks great. Can't wait to hear the motorized performance report.
I recently did a refinish of my Ri. It's awesome to make the gun "your own". Still waiting waiting for my adjustable recoil pad to come in.

Nice work Tim!!! I agree, adding your own personal touch to your rifles gives them a totally different feel.

Steve

56S · « **Reply #16 on:** March 29, 2015, 10:02:53 AM »

OK, In the address book under AG tuners: Steel goes to motorhead and wood goes to Nitro.

Nice work indeed!

wimpanzee · « **Reply #17 on:** March 29, 2015, 10:04:08 AM »

Very nice work, thank you for sharing.

fishhuntmike · « **Reply #18 on:** March 29, 2015, 06:38:02 PM »

Stellar work !!! Thanks for sharing the details!!!!!

Jason_Garvin · « **Reply #19 on:** March 29, 2015, 09:05:06 PM »

Absolutely sharp nice work! I have a nice R9, always wondered how the HW 98 shouldered. I like the stock and the sleeved barrel. May have to add one to my wish list someday.

Jason Garvin

Thank you to our advertisers!

HW98 is Finally Finished!!

Author Topic: HW98 is Finally Finished!! (Read 13648 times))