Polish Stainless
- Thread starter carlson1
- Start date
sparkyv
Member
When I was a kid, I used to use Semichrome for my knives, but it's rather pricy these days, so I've tried Mother's and Flitz which work but seem to require more rubbing than Semichrome.
Speedo66
Member
You were stronger back then. lol
OP, if you’re looking to restore the finish on a S&W stainless gun, gray 3M Scotch-Brite pads are a good match for the factory finish.
Dave DeLaurant
Member
If you just want to de-gunk the surface, try Flitz.
Jim Watson
Member
I thought he meant he had a rare stainless steel Radom.
trackskippy
Member
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- Oct 2, 2010
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- 3,501
The gray Scoth-brite pads will give pretty much a factory finish. Ive used them for scratches on some of my stainless guns with good results. Just go easy with them and take your time.
Next best thing would be a bead blast.
Next best thing would be a bead blast.
OP
OP
carlson1
Member
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- Jan 24, 2007
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- 103
No danger in the Scoth-brite pads scratching the gun more? I guess what I have picture is a Brillo pad.
trackskippy
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- Oct 2, 2010
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I thought that at first too, but they were recommended by a number of people so I gave it a try and was very happy with the results.
They give more of a Matte finish than something that looks polished.
They give more of a Matte finish than something that looks polished.
OP
OP
carlson1
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- Jan 24, 2007
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- 103
Thank you. I will give it a try.
bannockburn
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For the maximum amount of shine I like Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish. For a little less shine I go with Flitz.
Mother's Mag Polish:
Flitz:
(Note-the Essex 1911 frame was not stainless steel but a carbon steel one with a very thin blued finish. While working on the gun the finish pretty much all came off so I gave the steel a more polished look using steel wool and then applying Flitz to it.)
Mother's Mag Polish:
Flitz:
(Note-the Essex 1911 frame was not stainless steel but a carbon steel one with a very thin blued finish. While working on the gun the finish pretty much all came off so I gave the steel a more polished look using steel wool and then applying Flitz to it.)
doubleh
Member
No way, Jos'a. The only high gloss finished handguns I have are CO2 replicas. Out in direct sunlight I find it almost impossible to see the sights because of the glare. My solution was to mask off the guns leaving he top strap, a strip of the top of the barrel, and the front sight where I could spray it with Rustoleum's rust reducer primer, one of the dullest matte black finishes I have have ever seen. Now they are usable. I have a couple of stainless Ruger single actions. With their brushed finish and their matte black sight sites they are fine in direct sunlight. I am no help with what to use as I do not want a polished finish. I admit one looks nice and would be OK as long as it's use is in low light.
JeffG
Member
Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish is my go-to.
dfariswheel
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2002
- Messages
- 6,656
To restore a factory stainless brushed finish the gray Scotchbrite pads are the correct tool.
The trick is to use the pad to polish out the scratches, then to finish, "stroke" the pad in the same direction that the original grained finish runs.
This prevents leaving tiny circular scratches where the pad is reversed.
For deeper scratches you have to go with fine abrasive sand cloth and use small sanding blocks to keep the surface level.
Buy Scotchbrite pads from auto supply houses that sell car painting supplies, or buy on Amazon.
The trick is to use the pad to polish out the scratches, then to finish, "stroke" the pad in the same direction that the original grained finish runs.
This prevents leaving tiny circular scratches where the pad is reversed.
For deeper scratches you have to go with fine abrasive sand cloth and use small sanding blocks to keep the surface level.
Buy Scotchbrite pads from auto supply houses that sell car painting supplies, or buy on Amazon.
