Continuing Saga GEC Ironwood, smoothing / polishing anyone tried it?

[sceva]

I notice the GEC desert Ironwood scales are a matte finish and rather dull.

Has anyone tried sanding them smoother and polishing or buffing them to a glossier finish. I have a Lick creek coming that will be a user. Has a tiny crack so I am thinking a drop of super glue then using a sanding block to reduce ripples to get a finer finish followed by hand buffing with chrome polish then a coat of REN Wax. Any input from someone who's done something similar?

 

[Elgatodeacero]

ironwood will take a very high polish. 600/1000/1500 should do it.

Edit- i would double mask off the bolsters, because you will never get those to look right. And sand by hand only, no power tools or dremels eeek.

 

[Night Rider]

ironwood is laminated like plywood and not a solid piece of wood. Am I correct?

 

[Babalu32]

Ironwood is a full on natural piece of wood. Maybe you're thinking of dymondwood?

 

[lambertiana]

That "ripple" effect is very common and efforts to eradicate it may be difficult.

 

[brownshoe]

Why use chrome polish on wood? For example, I use Flitz, but it's not recommended for wood, but also it doesn't say not to use it on wood. I've used Flitz on knife pins and it shines up the pin but not really the wood. I generally use Ren wax on wood. I've read where sandpaper is recommended for wood as well as steel wool.

 

[sceva]

I have Autosol Chrome/metal polish, a fine paste in a tube that is very similar to Flitz. It works on many materials, acrylics, Stag, Metal. I believe it will polish up hard dense woods like Ironwood. The worst that will happen is that I have to clean it back off. I plan on using so me fine abrasive papers followed by a polish followed by Ren Wax.

here are the results, Can't seem to get rid of the Ripple effect in the cross grain

 

[Night Rider]

Ironwood is a full on natural piece of wood. Maybe you're thinking of dymondwood?

Yes I am. Thank you for the correction sir

 

[sceva]

I have worked on this one a little more. Just masking the bolsters, lightly sanding and polishing. 600 grit , 1000 Grit, Crocus cloth and polishing with a paper towel.

I haven't put REN wax on yet , will do that tonight. I believe I have it as far as I want to take it. This one get EDC duty and is in my pocket now.

 

[JB in SC]

That looks very nice. I have sealed walnut stocks using a coating of superglue, sanded and kept reapplying until the finish became smooth.

 

[JTB_5]

Lookin' good!