I've heard Renaissance Wax works very well for blued guns.

If you get into sanding it, yeah you can probably sand it smoother. The problem is there could very well be some kind of stain or color tinting on the finish, and it's really not possible for us to tell from a picture. If you sand it, you need to take off the stain EVERYWHERE, and then good luck getting it to match again.

Instead, I would just wax it. Pick up some paste wax, put some on a rag, and do like Daniel san (wipe on, wipe off).

If you don't mind spending a few more dollars, this stuff does a really nice job, and offers better protection.

I use paste wax on wood and metal. Buff on, buff off. Basic yellow can Johnson's works but Renaissance Wax is best. http://www.amazon.com/Renaissance-Wax-Polish-65ml/dp/B003AJWN62

Not sure about buffing, but once you're done get some Renaissance Wax to give it a little extra glow and some protection, too. I use this on my nickel revolvers and blued guns.

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https://www.amazon.com/Renaissance-XTL-8004-Wax-Polish-65ml/dp/B003AJWN62/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=rennisance+wax&qid=1555420492&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Thanks for the thorough reply! Minwax has a ton of poly variations (fast drying, plain oil-based, [oil-based] wipe-on, oil-modified, water-based, [water-based] wipe-on, etc.), do you remember which in particular you used? I ask because I really like the look you achieved. To reiterate, that Zebrawood looks fucking great. I recently used some on a guitar and I'm very fond of its borderline-ostentatious look.

And a Spanish cedar humidor? I hope you held you pinky out while you made the cuts ;) If you took pics, please post them!

I don't know too much about wax. Did what you used add or subtract from the gloss level of the satin poly? The only wax I've ever used is Renaissance wax, on that same guitar, which is glossy as all hell.


Edit: What brand of sanding sealer did you use, or was it some sort of shellac?

Edit2: Sorry to grill you, but what exactly do you mean by the Zebrawood "standing up" upon finishing? Raising the grain with a water-based finish? "Popping" (god I hate that term) the grain with an oil-based finish? Or something else entirely?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_Wax

https://www.amazon.com/Renaissance-XTL-8004-Wax-Polish-65ml/dp/B003AJWN62

Did you get an issuing booklet / sheet? Mine came with a pamphlet saying it had been issued to literally one guy, approximately 30 years ago lol. I'm not sure he even shot the gun. They're beautiful rifles.

So wax; I literally used Minwax Furniture Paste Wax, the kind that comes in a large yellow can and can be found at any home improvement store.

Birchwood Casey Sells a liquid gunstock wax that although it works, doesn't give as nice of a finish as traditional furniture wax. There's almost no gloss. There's also Renaissance Wax, which is used by museums for preservation; but it's a bit hard to find except online.

Mineral Spirits and Gun Scrubber are you friend against the cosmoline, but if it weren't for the cosmo it wouldn't be in such awesome condition. Enjoy the new rifle! :D

Tampa? Cory? Well then, I could online order. Or I could just swing by, ya know, next time I'm up that way... I think we actually met at the Vape Lair Lounge Series last month... Does this piece look familiar? IIRC correctly you couldn't keep a patina on your Ember because your hands appear to secrete their own natural mod polish, amirite? Seeing your Ember IRL is kinda what tipped me over into snagging one of my own. I was kinda hoping my experience would be different, but alas, I am having the same fucking problem... That nice dark brown patina in the video? Yup, gone in hours... It's pink now... FML :( Thinking of either clear coating it, or grabbing some of this stuff... Anyway, howdy Neighbor! Next time your down in the Burg, lets chill.

And ya know what's weird? I have a Terra with a set of both copper and silver plated pins. For some reason I seem to prefer the copper. I don't mind the extra work. Doesn't make sense though. I know silver is more conductive, but it feels like the copper pins just hit harder... Maybe I'm just imagining it.

I just had a similar problem this weekend with some wenge scales I was working with, I didn't like how dark and uniform everything looked when oiled. I ended up getting a few 4" buffing wheels and some compounds. I put the wheels in my drill press (probably not the best idea but it's what I have) at about 1500 RPM. I went with brown tripoli then white diamond compounds, wiping the handle with a microfiber cloth in between. Then I wiped on a layer of Renaissance Wax, let it dry, and finally gently buffed it with a clean wheel in my hand drill. The result is a clear glossy finish that really shows off the differences in the dark and light bands of wood. I think it's going to be my go-to finish for harder woods that already have a lot of color and don't really benefit from oiling.

The first thing I would try is Simichrome polish along with a lot of elbow grease. That may well help fix some of the scratches too. If that works, follow it up with an application of Renaissance Wax.

I think that should clear up your finish.

You're very welcome; I'm just a mere nomo who's happy to help.

All of that said in my original post, if I were you I'd try something a little less permanent on the first try. I'd also want something that would have no chance of flaking off and making a big mess of my mod (lacquer will eventually fail). After polishing and a solvent cleanse, I'd probably apply a wax. It's not a forever solution, but it should reduce how often you'll have to polish and it's pretty easy to remove/polish/reapply.

Renaissance Wax is a museum quality product renowned protecting antiques/collector items and it works great on all metals and more. Amazon carries 65ml and 200ml containers at a fairly reasonable price.

That's probably where I'd go first, but my experience with applying coatings is very limited...I spec them all the time, but never have to actually use them. :) I hope your experiment goes well!

Polishing sheets
www.amazon.com/dp/B001BHGC7G/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_oJMttb14VTZ9R

Simichrome
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002YUQ4E/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_jKMttb1EX6ENW

Renaissance Wax Polish 65ml
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003AJWN62/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_RKMttb1YM5YXC

arnauba Wax
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009IQXCM/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_NMMttb1MPHYVW

Use this:

https://www.amazon.com/Beadaholique-XTL-8004-Renaissance-Polish-65ml/dp/B003AJWN62

I'll be interested to see the results. I use this combo on my fancy brass keyboard...

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I think I was also recommended to use this product to provide a coating afterwards.

Renaissance Wax Polish https://www.amazon.com/Renaissance-XTL-8004-Wax-Polish-65ml/dp/B003AJWN62/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3LXO6QWXJHNZH&keywords=renaissance+wax&qid=1564450895&s=gateway&sprefix=renaissa%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-1

Condor Naval Cutlass. Your knife needs have been met. Your sword needs have just begun.

Spend the rest of the money on Moras. Or get some Renaissance Wax for the sword.