How to Finish Up a Recoil Pad for a Professional Look | MidwayUSA Gunsmithing

Published on March 19, 2021
Duration: 1:12

Larry Potterfield of MidwayUSA demonstrates how to achieve a professional finish on a recoil pad. The process involves removing sanding marks and flat spots using a recoil pad fixture and progressively finer grits of abrasive cloth, followed by a final polish with paste wax. This technique ensures a clean, aesthetically pleasing result for firearm stocks.

Quick Summary

To professionally finish a recoil pad, remove it from the stock and mount it on a fixture. Use 100-grit abrasive strips in a shoe-shine motion to smooth flat spots, then progress to 150 and 220 grit. For edges, use a sanding block from 100 up to 400 grit. Finally, apply paste wax for a bright, finished look.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Recoil Pad Finishing
  2. 00:10Identifying Imperfections on Recoil Pads
  3. 00:22Using the Recoil Pad Fixture
  4. 00:29Smoothing Flat Spots with Abrasives
  5. 00:43Sanding Pad Edges
  6. 00:49Applying Paste Wax for a Final Finish
  7. 01:03Conclusion: Professional Recoil Pad Finish

Frequently Asked Questions

What tools are needed to finish a recoil pad professionally?

To professionally finish a recoil pad, you'll need a recoil pad fixture (like the Miles Gilbert model), a vise, cloth-backed abrasive strips in various grits (100, 150, 220, 400), a small sanding block, and common paste wax for the final polish.

How do you smooth out flat spots on a recoil pad?

Flat spots on a recoil pad can be smoothed out by using 100-grit cloth-backed abrasive strips in a shoe-shine motion while the pad is secured in a vise on a recoil pad fixture. Progress to finer grits like 150 and 220 for a smoother finish.

What is the final step to give a recoil pad a professional look?

The final step to achieve a professional look on a recoil pad is to apply common paste wax. This will brighten the surface and give it a polished, finished appearance after all sanding and smoothing is complete.

What grit sandpaper should be used for finishing recoil pad edges?

When finishing the edges of a recoil pad with a small sanding block, start with 100-grit sandpaper and gradually work your way up to 400-grit. This progressive sanding ensures a smooth, scratch-free edge.

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