polishing stainless

7467 Views 13 Replies 6 Participants Last post by kritter, Apr 15, 2009

.357 mag

Discussion Starter · Apr 11, 2009

My 66 has some scratches in it and the stainless looks a bit "old". I heard you can you 4000 grit sandpaper and get the scratches out and mothers car wax to give it a shine. Anyone heard of these or anyone done this. ALL INFO WILL BE ACCEPTED.

thanks

.357 mag

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carl418_resigned

· #2 · Apr 11, 2009

Here you go.. straight from the FAQ of the Gunsmithing forum. 5th post from the top..

http://smithandwessonforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=112&sid=bd326af887d4c7d755f4b4a93632ddc5

I would have tried to answer your question myself, but I don't see how I can do better than 500 MN has already done..

By the way, I'm also moving your post to the Gunsmithing forum.

When you're done with the polishing, how about a photo? We luv pics!

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500 Magnum Nut

· #3 · Apr 11, 2009

Stainless steel is easy to fix up. I bought a used 649 (J frame 38 spl) that so beat up on the outside, it looked like it went thru a war. The price was cheap and after checking it out it looked nearly unfired but carried mostly without a holster.
I took it apart first, and then I started with a fine flat file and chased all the nicks off the trigger guard and sides of the barrel. Then I started with stones and finished the blending process. After this I used 600 grit wet and dry sandpaper mixed with oil with the aid of a sanding block to keep the surfaces flat, sanded it back to life. I finished with grey scotchbrite and called it a day. Maybe it took 2 hours max to restore the outsides. I carry this gun everywhere today and it looks new, yet being over 25 years old. I didn't use Mothers mag polish on this one, because I prefer the factory finish on a carry piece. If it's too polished the fingerprints show like crazy!

I put a laser grip on it then test fired it. The next day, I had a "new" carry bug.

On your gun keep an eye out for the top strap where it's glass beaded or any laser etchings on the gun. If you polish even with Mothers on these areas mentioned, they will be altered or removed entirely, then you will have to glass bead or laser etch again...

This old 617 I bought when they first came out. I have fired thousands and thousands of 22s thru it. I cleaned it up with mothers and revarnished the grips for this picture. Looks new ...

good luck with your project.

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DHENRY

· #4 · Apr 11, 2009

Great advice and tips, 500!
They all work, and perhaps the best thing to remember is that it's not a race.
Take your time, work carefully. and with care.
Stainless is about the only finish/material that the home hobbyist can bring back from the dead!

Don

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Sebago Son

· #5 · Apr 11, 2009

One small additional piece of advice to follow on 500's excellent post above....

Should you decide to remove the side plate, be sure to replace it BEFORE you begin your overall final polish. To fail this advice is to risk rounded edges of the side plate itself, and when reassembled the side plate to frame joint is widened. To me this makes the whole job look really hack and indicates poor practice....

Good Luck!

Drew

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.357 mag

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 11, 2009

Thanks for the advice. I don't know if I'm going to do it. I want to but I don't want to mess up the gun.

here is the gun now.

I want to get rid of the scratches and polish a bit. Not mirror, just a little shine.

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kritter

· #7 · Apr 11, 2009

you can just "buff" with the gray 3m scotchbright pads.. go in one direction... and go lightly...this will get you really close to factory appearance.....

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.357 mag

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 12, 2009

I think I will practice on one one my pocket knifes first, I don't care how I looks. If it looks good. I think I will move to the gun.

Thanks to all for the info. I will post knife first to see how I did.

Thanks again.

.357

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.357 mag

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 13, 2009

Ok, I got some mothers mag polish today. My gun does look better. I think I will pick up some gray scotch pads and start buffing it out. Here is what I have so far.

before

after with mag polish. This is about 30 min. worth.

Anymore suggestions befroe the morning I will take

thanks
.357 mag

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500 Magnum Nut

· #10 · Apr 14, 2009

The more you rub it the better it looks! Just keep a clean tee shirt on the gun.
Pop the cylinder off and twist it in your hands to remove the turn line...

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.357 mag

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 14, 2009

500 Magnum Nut said:
The more you rub it the better it looks! Just keep a clean tee shirt on the gun.
Pop the cylinder off and twist it in your hands to remove the turn line...

Your right. I'm doing a polish job every night ( this will be the four time) until I get it where I want it. I think its going to be great when I done. I will post a picture when I'm finished.

thanks again

.357 mag

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