I have a HW55MM with a very nice original stock finish, but someone (not me!) clamped the stock in a vise and left marks from the vise teeth. Can I steam out the dents without refinishing the stock?
You can try. The finish is probably cut through so it likely won't work. If the fibers are cut or broken apart success will be limited. Sometimes steam leaves the finish with a milky cloud. The walnut stock can refinish nicely if you strip it. Will the vice marks disappear? IDK. Might require some refinishing magic. Vise jaw pattern might be a challenge depending on the severity.
Thank you. The marks are fairly deep, wood fibers appear cut. I'd better hold off on steaming, and think about sanding the damage out? Too bad.
I would plan on a total refinish. Strip the finish and then steam the damage areas, get it plenty wet with a towel and hold iron on the towel until it stops steaming, I use an old clothing stream iron. You will be surprised how much even broken grain dents will come out! The last stock I did had dent from a wood screw that was about 1/8" deep and broken grain. After steaming it took minimal sanding to make it disappear.
