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Dans Club
December 7, 2020
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Stinger said
Why not share the information with everyone?
Because I was being selfish! But that's not really me, so here you go:
Start with Factory Walnut Grips. Remove....(PUSH OUT from inside) medallions with 4mm hex wrench
Sand off finish to raw wood
Apply Wood Bleach *five (5) separate times (less will not do)
White wash, sand, white wash, sand until you get the **desired effect.
Clearcoat until the shine is so deep to see your ancestors.
NOTES:
* less that 5 times and the natural Walnut color eventually seeps into the white stain. At first it is a beautiful Ivory color, but then turn grayish and looks dirty or dull. Reaction to bleach?
**my desired effect was to have whitewashed look with details of woodgrain so obvious that nobody would think it was plastic.
The one pictured is heavier on the White because I refinished a failed attempt and it had some chips that I filled in with putty, and other issues.
I did variations of this eleven times on 4 walnut grips. After I thought I nailed it, the next one had different in appearance. I guess it's just the nature of wood? (That why I bought all those messed up grips in my 2020 posting)
Don't try to rattle can it with acrylic paint. The powder seems to bind to the dried acrylic clearcoat. Urethane seems to work better so far.
Remove grip when cleaning gun. Solvents may ruin finish
Clean grip with soap and water or car wax.
Don't try on checkered grips.
10 months on these was a learning process. Master Carpenters and refinishers were of little help dispensing quality free advice. I first hired professionals, but they took shortcuts.....not bleaching enough, and other guy rattle-canned it. Neither would correct the work. "If you want something done right........."
If I ever do another, I will do the initial prep work, and hire and automotive painter for a Pure White with Pearl coat.
I have only shot with this white grip once. Why take a chance on defacing my hard work? I switch to standard grip for shooting, and save White for display.
Not that anyone else would want to put in this kind of time and effort. But if you do, I hope this saves you time and money.
Steve
EDIT: Photo included from the initial post in the calendar thread. -Charger Fan
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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Great job Scout! I know how much work you put in. I had LB make large and small frame grips from Faux Ivory. Then spent about 10 hours wet sanding on each one with 400 to 1500 grit and ended with a couple hours each polishing with Mother's Mag & Aluminum. Then had LB insert a sterling silver medallion (purchased from forum member who had some made) in the small frame grip and a gold medallion I had made into the large frame grip. LB warned me not to shoot magnum rounds with the grips for fear they would crack, so I don't! 
I also spent about 15 hours polishing the 715 shown.
DWF Supporters
July 12, 2020
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Scout's and your grips look dynamite!!
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Moderators
January 24, 2009
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605Dart said
Scout's and your grips look dynamite!!
DITTO! Those look fantastic, thanks for sharing the 
Dans Club
December 7, 2020
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snake-eye said
Great job Scout! I know how much work you put in. I had LB make large and small frame grips from Faux Ivory. Then spent about 10 hours wet sanding on each one with 400 to 1500 grit and ended with a couple hours each polishing with Mother's Mag & Aluminum. Then had LB insert a sterling silver medallion (purchased from forum member who had some made) in the small frame grip and a gold medallion I had made into the large frame grip. LB warned me not to shoot magnum rounds with the grips for fear they would crack, so I don't!I also spent about 15 hours polishing the 715 shown.
I think seeing yours started me down this road.
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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Dans Club
February 24, 2013
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