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""PHOTOS" added SUPER Fine Surface Scratch HELP

sigarmsp226sigarmsp226 Member Posts: 2,461 ✭✭✭
edited October 2012 in General Discussion
I just purchased a used Ruger Red Label that has a small surface scratch on the stainless steel side plate on the receiver. What can I use and how do I use what is recommended to remove this surface scratch? I can provide pictures if needed.

Thanks Mark
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Comments

  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,084 ******
    edited November -1
    Steel wool, fine wet or dry sandpaper, and/or a Scotchbrite pad.

    I don't know which to recommend, since I don't know the sheen we are trying to match.

    Scotchbrite does pretty well with a "satin" finish. Steel wool and sandpaper come in varying degrees of grit. The finer the number the more highly polished the result will be.
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  • sigarmsp226sigarmsp226 Member Posts: 2,461 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks David - Round motion or straight against across the grain of the scratch?

    Mark
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  • bigoutsidebigoutside Member Posts: 19,443 ✭
    edited November -1
    I so wouldn't worry about a small surface scratch.
    Are you planning on ever shooting it?
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  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,084 ******
    edited November -1
    Another thing to try is a simple pen/pencil eraser.

    Please show us a picture.
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  • sigarmsp226sigarmsp226 Member Posts: 2,461 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by bigoutside
    I so wouldn't worry about a small surface scratch.
    Are you planning on ever shooting it?



    Bigoutside - Bought it with plans on shooting it on the skeet field because it is used, but after shooting a Benelli Super sport, I opted to buy a used SS so I think in time I will sell the Ruger. Was thinking I could get the scratch off before selling but to forgemonkey's point I sure do not want to draw more attention to the area than it already has. I will shoot a photo tomorrow in 5 minutes and post so that my situation has more validity.....Sorry for not doing that to start with.....Mark
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  • bigoutsidebigoutside Member Posts: 19,443 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by sigarmsp226
    quote:Originally posted by bigoutside
    I so wouldn't worry about a small surface scratch.
    Are you planning on ever shooting it?



    Bigoutside - Bought it with plans on shooting it on the skeet field because it is used, but after shooting a Benelli Super sport, I opted to buy a used SS so I think in time I will sell the Ruger. Was thinking I could get the scratch off before selling but to forgemonkey's point I sure do not want to draw more attention to the area than it already has. I will shoot a photo tomorrow and post so that my situation has more validity.....Sorry for not doing that to start with.....Mark


    I suspect you will find a buyer with the exact same idea you had at the onset. A solid used shooter.

    I look forward to seeing the photos!
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  • sigarmsp226sigarmsp226 Member Posts: 2,461 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Best I could do with my cell phone tonight - good camera is at work....Mark


    photo-6.jpg

    photo-7.jpg
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  • k.stanonikk.stanonik Member Posts: 2,109 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    No matter what method you decide to use, go with the grain of the metal, circular motion will make the site more obvious.

    With that high of a sheen, 000 steel wool and oil with the grain.
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  • bigoutsidebigoutside Member Posts: 19,443 ✭
    edited November -1
    In all honesty, you are being silly.

    You'll futz it up worse trying to 'fix' it.

    Post it for sale tomorrow. You'll get more for it than if you try to 'repair' normal use marks.
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  • sigarmsp226sigarmsp226 Member Posts: 2,461 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by bigoutside
    In all honesty, you are being silly.

    You'll futz it up worse trying to 'fix' it.

    Post it for sale tomorrow. You'll get more for it than if you try to 'repair' normal use marks.


    Point well taken bigoutside - It is used so these things are part of the normal wear and tear....Because Ruger has stopped production of the Red Labels and I am in to this jewel for less than $600.00 I want to make dang sure I LOVE shooting my recently acquired Benelli SS before I let this one go....According to the SN# this gun was made in 1983 and it has screw in chokes so I am still on the fence about selling it.....Thanks for the feedback and comments from everyone.....Mark
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  • 35 Whelen35 Whelen Member Posts: 14,307 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Try a super-fine grade of sandpaper, at least 2000 grit, and a hard backing block. Go over the entire receiver very gently, to blend it all together. Go slow and consistent pass to pass. Should clean it up just fine that way.
    An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it.
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  • sigarmsp226sigarmsp226 Member Posts: 2,461 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Forge - I think based upon your comments and others here tonight I will leave alone....I am bad to not think before doing and screwing up things by just not leaving alone...in this case I am going to listen to the forum and leave it alone for now...If I decide to fix it I might just carry it to a pro but more than likely I will leave it and sell at as is disclosing the scratch in the auction with good "LF" [:D] type photos so the buyers are fully aware....Tonight it stays in the vault in its gun sock......Thanks again, Mark
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  • zinkzink Member Posts: 6,456 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Take it to someone that has a bead blaster after you carefully remove the scratch. I would start at about 240 grit stone and GENTLY remove the scratch, then work your up to 600 with out skipping grits in between. Then have it blasted (no sand but fine media) at about 15 psi to frost it.
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  • sigarmsp226sigarmsp226 Member Posts: 2,461 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by 35WhelenClassic
    Try a super-fine grade of sandpaper, at least 2000 grit, and a hard backing block. Go over the entire receiver very gently, to blend it all together. Go slow and consistent pass to pass. Should clean it up just fine that way.


    35 - my problem is not knowing when to stop...If I decide to try and fix it there is a good chance I will ask a forum member to help (hint, hint) by sending the portion that is scratched to a pro for repair....My long team concern is I see this scratch hurting the value of this gun to the tune of at least $100.00 - But there again I tend to make mountains out of mole hills...
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  • mijelomijelo Member Posts: 1,623 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Never use steel wool on
    stainless steel,as any future
    water may show rust on stainless
    steel,that is a NO-NO.
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  • RustyBonesRustyBones Member Posts: 4,956
    edited November -1
    I'm thinking you would have to refinish the entire stainless section, not just that spot. That's the only way the finish would match.
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  • gearheaddadgearheaddad Member Posts: 15,091 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I wouldn't touch it.
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  • bullshotbullshot Member Posts: 14,705 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you don't like it now, just wait till you try to "FIX" it.

    Leave it alone .............. you'll be sorry.
    "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you"
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  • walliewallie Member Posts: 8,595 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Easy fix

    You have to draw their attention away from the area you want to fix. Then it won't look so bad.
    fin-20-fixer-er-upper_zps5efa42db.gif
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  • NOAHNOAH Member Posts: 9,690
    edited November -1
    60 grit floor sand paper all over it and it will look like a custom finish Ruff-Matte [}:)][:D][:D][:D]
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  • Locust ForkLocust Fork Member Posts: 32,056 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    [:D]

    I think your pictures are great!
    LOCUST FORK CURRENT AUCTIONS: https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Sort=13&IncludeSellers=618902&PageSize=48 Listings added every Thursday! We do consignments, contact us at mckaygunsales@gmail.com
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  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    We use a 150 grit sanding sponge on S&W stainless. Just work lightly and they blend in very good.
    Your Ruger looks like it might use a finer grit.
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  • Marc1301Marc1301 Member Posts: 31,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Like many others have said,....I think that if you try to 'fix' that one area, it will look worse than the scratch does.

    Either do the whole receiver, ignore it, or try this.
    Work on the scratch with a pencil eraser as another poster mentioned.
    After you have done as well as you can,.....use Flitz on the entire receiver since it's pretty shiny.

    Probably won't totally eliminate it, but should make it look better and not point out the area you did the work in.
    This is all IMHO.
    "Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here." - William Shatner
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  • 35 Whelen35 Whelen Member Posts: 14,307 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by sigarmsp226
    quote:Originally posted by 35WhelenClassic
    Try a super-fine grade of sandpaper, at least 2000 grit, and a hard backing block. Go over the entire receiver very gently, to blend it all together. Go slow and consistent pass to pass. Should clean it up just fine that way.


    35 - my problem is not knowing when to stop...If I decide to try and fix it there is a good chance I will ask a forum member to help (hint, hint) by sending the portion that is scratched to a pro for repair....My long team concern is I see this scratch hurting the value of this gun to the tune of at least $100.00 - But there again I tend to make mountains out of mole hills...


    Just go slow, and as soon as you've gone over the entire receiver, and the scratch is gone, quit there and then. The amount of material you'll end up removing will be negligible. Just enough to get to the bottom of the scratch. It appears to be a very light scratch, so it should take much work.[:)]
    An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it.
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  • spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    leave it alone ..even glass beads will frost it
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  • SoreShoulderSoreShoulder Member Posts: 3,148 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Don't fill the hinge with grit.

    I think unless you are prepared to get or borrow a polishing wheel you will not easily put in the amount of rubbing it takes to get a smooth finish.
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  • 35 Whelen35 Whelen Member Posts: 14,307 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by eboydell
    You are worried about a scratch on a Ruger. Start by using it as a future "drop gun". The Huns did not make it,nor did a descent American company. I hate Rugers!


    I'm sure Ruger won't be able to last without your support.[:o)]
    An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it.
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