How to raise stock dents?

[Scott Smith]

Is there an easy way to lift/raise light dents and scratches from walnut stocks? I have heard that by placing a wet rag on the dent, and then applying steam from an iron, will lift dents. Is this a proven process? I don't want to turn a minor blemish into something major. Thanks.

[Robert Rambler]

Usually done when refinishing a stock. Steaming will affect the finish already on the stock.
Before and after pics of a dented stock I refinished.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7Vwa-N90u0

[Brian Dudley]

Steaming will only do so much. Shallow, light rings and light scratches will come up with enough steaming. If the fibers of the wood are broken at all, the damage will not come up by steaming.
If anything, steaming will at least minimize sanding work if you are going for a like new surface.

[John Campbell]

Mr. Dudley is correct. Gouged out wood or torn wood fibers will not react much, if at all to steaming.

And while this process is most effective when a stock's finish is removed to bare wood, I have found that it is sometimes possible to steam "through" some of the early, basic finishes... but not to huge effect. This sometimes works on small, shallow dents to remove or minimize them. However, I don't recommend that the inexperienced try it.

Some, if not many, wounds should be left as part of the gun's character.

[Rick Losey]

Robert - nice job on that stock, and the twist in the barrels looks just as nice. what is the gun?

As for steaming, i have done it to a few stocks, and as said above - it removes some small dents but they generally seem to be the least of the damage to old wood.

[Robert Rambler]

Rick, The "Plain Twist" barrels and stock are from a #3 frame,1887 10ga, top lever hammer gun. Unstruck weight of 6lbs, thinnest spot I can find in the tubes measures .o52, It's a nice heavy gun just shy of 10lbs.

Being in agreement with all the above advice, I would suggest anyone wanting to try steaming dents, should grab a piece of scrap wood, knock a few dents of varying size in it and have at it. Great way to learn.

[Scott Smith]

Beautiful stock refinish! Thanks to all that replied. The information is very useful. I will live with the scratch as is, and address it when and if I decide to refinish.

[Brian Dudley]

Good course of action. I speak with a lot of people that want to put money into a gun that has one mark on it and it is a gun that they are going to keep using.
I tell them that ultimately, I will do for them whatever they want me to, but it may be a better idea to wait until it gets a few more marks before doing anything. Because the inevitable fact is that if something is used, it will get marks and such on it.

[Ben Rawls]

Why is it that marks from the rack or safe are so much worse than marks obtained in the field?