Bead Blasting Stainless Steel Blemishes

[Big Mike]

Hello. I have a S&W 6946 that has blemishes and blotches along the top part of the slide, and on the back left side of the slide. Is it possible to just bead blast the finish and get rid of them. I'll try to post a pic:

I'm not going for a mirror master polish finish or anything close, I just want something that looks better and will wear better in my new kydex holster. The slide looks like it was in a leather duty holster for a LONG time. Who does bead blasting at an affordable price while doing quality work? Thanks, Mike

 

[JNewell]

I am actually in the process of thinking about doing the same on a Gen3 S&W. The process is pretty straightforward...I have not looked farther than S&W's site yet. They will do the work, and you could have them do any other appropriate work at the same time if it's a retired service pistol, but there are probably lots of places that can bead blast a SS gun. Stay tuned to this channel for more suggestions?

 

[DeBee]

Have you tried ScotchBrite pads yet?

I'd recommend the green or grey pads for buffing stainless to a matte type finish.

If you are brave, you can cut a couple small squares out of the pad and thread them on to a mandrel and then chuck the mandrel in your foredom or dremel or drill and buff lightly. They don't really cut metal and follow curves well.

For a manual job just strike the metal with your finger wrapped in the pad...

If you don't like the results, then you can send it off for beadblasting but I seem to recall that S&W uses ceramic chunks in a giant vibrator to finish metal...

 

[mete]

If it's going to be a carrygun it will get nicks and scratches, don't be paranoid. Dirt on the holster seems to be more of a problem with kydex so keep the holster clean.

 

[Big Mike]

I'll try the Scotch Brite pads. I may also send it off to S&W and have them bead blast it (@ $75.00). Thanks for the replies. Pics of successes or failure may follow!

Mike

 

[Rich in VA]

If you want to match the existing finish, try this: Put a piece of fairly coarse wet/dry paper, like 320 or so grit, over the area, and tap it lightly with a hammer. This transfers the grit impression to the metal, which is basically what a bead blaster does...............

This will sometimes get you by with a small blemish, altho' the one you have at the safety isn't so small..............It might be worth a try before you throw $75 at something.

You can always spend the $75...............

Rich

 

[JNewell]

I've had very good success with the Scotchbrite solution where the surfaces are flat -- like the slide. I have not had good luck where there are corners, nooks and crannies -- like the frame. YMMV!