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How to remove scratches on stainless handgun

jdegnjdegn Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
edited April 2002 in General Discussion
Hi Group,I just purchased a S&W Mountain Pistol on Gunbroker and unfortunately the gun has many unexpected holster scratches. Most are light. Is there a way to remove them (rubbing compound or something) without scratching the pistol all up? Is there also a best way to blend in your work? Any recommendations are appreciated.JD
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Comments

  • gunnut505gunnut505 Member Posts: 10,290 ✭
    edited November -1
    You betcha! Had a security six that got run over by 3 motorcycles-scratched it all up- I got some J-B bore paste and an old cotton shirt and added oil to gun; paste to shirt=after about six days of intermittent rubbing/polishing I got it to look really shiny without any polishing marks!The key is pressure; too much wil scratch-not enough and you'll spend weeks!Just be patient and work slowly around the perimeter to blend the finish, then rub hel out of the bad spots.
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  • JudgeColtJudgeColt Member Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A used Scotchbrite pad works well for me. Go as lightly or heavily as necessary to return the polish to the same character as that on other parts of the gun. Make sure your polishing motion matches that which was used originally. Start very lightly and see how it looks. I have found that a used pad has less "bite" than a new one and is easier to use to give an original-type polish, ast least that has been my experience on the older guns with which I work. I once traded for a Smith & Wesson M66 that looked like it had been drug behind a car. Some hard work with sandpaper and a Scotchbrite pad returned it to factory-fresh appearance. In that severe case, I used sandpaper to remove the heavy scratches and then used the Scotchbrite pad for final finish. With a replacement set of good used grips, the gun looked great. To me, this ability to touch up such cosmetic blemishes is a major part of the appeal of stainless firearms.
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  • hunter280manhunter280man Member Posts: 705 ✭
    edited November -1
    If you have a high luster finish you can also try Simonez paste. It works great after the scratches are gone.
    Though I was born to royalty, I was snatched at birth, so treat me as the noble I am!!!
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    This is just my way of doing it, but I think its the best way (of course). Its simple. I use what I believe to be 'controlled' degrees of scratching and to do that I use a known substance, sandpaper. I use 300, 400, 600 and 1000 grits. Finer grits are never required, coarse grits only seldom are needed. Match the grit that works best to match the finish desired, its that simple, 400 for the more brushed looking finishes, and move on up into the finer grits for the glossier finishes. I'm no gunsmith, but this sure works well for me, and I cant even tell where I've done touch up work on my own guns. Oh yes, all these grits are readily available at the automotive body supply stores, like NAPA for example.
    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC[This message has been edited by robsguns (edited 03-23-2002).]
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  • interstatepawnllcinterstatepawnllc Member Posts: 9,390
    edited November -1
    1)dremel tool. 2)felt wheel pad. 3)flitz or equivelent. 4)patience/perseverence.
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  • azgunnut2@yahoo.comazgunnut2@yahoo.com Member Posts: 305 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    we have used (for years) "miracle" cloths andLOTS of elbow grease (manual labor)on stainless guns with great results...also have used the semi-chrome & flitz type stuffand even a dremel tool to help out.......good luck !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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  • RembrandtRembrandt Member Posts: 4,486 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you don't care for the shiney look.....have it bead blasted, gives it a nice satin finish....
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  • michael minarikmichael minarik Member Posts: 478 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The very BEST WAY to clean stainlss is to buy STAINLSS STEEL, STEEL WOOL; YES THEY DO MAKE IT AND IT IS THE BEST AND FASTEST WAY TO BUFF A STAINLSS HAND GUN...want some email me...mminariksr@cox.net. I have used stainlsssteel steel wool exclusively for more than 20 years. When I was a dealer and sold stainlss hand gun's I always includeds a pad or two for the buyer. It put's all other cleaning methods to shame! [This message has been edited by michael minarik (edited 03-24-2002).]
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would stay away from the power tools altogether. They are not recommended for polishing a feed ramp, and consequently I think they might be overpowered for polishing a stainless surface. Best way to polish a feedramp without ruining the gun is supposedly to use fine sandpaper pushed back and forth by the eraser of a pencil. I find this works very well. I would take that to heart when contemplating working on my pretty guns' exeriors and rely on nothing stronger than hand power, carefully applied, to do the job, regardless of the abrasive material used.
    "The 2nd Amendment is about defense, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member."
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  • varmit huntervarmit hunter Member Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    All of the above work great.If it is a high polish, Finish off with tooth paste.
    A unarmed man is a subject.A armed man is a citizen.
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  • airborneairborne Member Posts: 1,728 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Wherdoes one get Flitz? Heard about it, but have not been able to locate.

    B - BreatheR - RelaxA - AimS - SightS - Squeeze
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