hometheaterman
I have not read the whole thread but have you considered calling Remington and expressing your concerns? Yes the gun is marketed through Traditions to Remington - but they are the name on the gun. They might help you.
As as another thought - I have a White U-mag with an dipped Autum Aspen camo stock. The stock has been on the gun for 3 hunting season and I have not experianced any chipping on the stock at all. I am looking at it right now