[RobertFBurnett]

Hello all! Well its been 4 months and I finally got off my duff and snapped some pics of my 686, enjoy.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg82/RFB7575/686standing.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg82/RFB7575/686onside.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg82/RFB7575/686onotherside.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg82/RFB7575/686inholster.jpg

Being a little slow in the head I didn't realize till I was editing these that the 7-Up box looks cool with the 7-Shot Smith. :)

RFB

P.S. Even more than the 17 coats of Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish on there I really love what the Ahrends grips add to it both in looks and feel. Highly recommended.

P.P.S. Now that the pics are done I can shoot it and not hate the carbon and lead. ;)

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Shiny!

Is that polished by hand?

[Beagle-zebub]

Daaaaaaammmmmn!

Do you know those shiny nickeled Colt .38 Supers that scream "Superfly!"? Your gun makes me thing of them.



That's very much a good thing.

[41magsnub]

What do you have against the Polish? They make good sausage and vodka!

[bannockburn]

RobertFBurnett

WOW! And I'm usually not given to expressions of wonder and amazement. Just tell me that 17 applications of Mothers Mag Polish didn't actually take you 4 months to get that effect.

[retgarr]

I'm not really a revolver guy but I want that!

[GUNKWAZY]

Congrats, it came out nice.

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

[The Bushmaster]

Droooool.....Slober....Schhmmmaaaack...

[RobertFBurnett]

Is that polished by hand?
100% old t-shirts, Harley polish cloths, and good ol Mothers.

Do you know those shiny nickeled Colt .38 Supers that scream "Superfly!"? Your gun makes me thing of them.
Employee at my range thought it was nickeled, nope all Stainless. Then he offered to pay me to do his...no thanks one was enough to put callouses on my thumbs.

What do you have against the Polish? They make good sausage and vodka! You forgot the Pierogis...mmmmmmmsausage.... ;)

Just tell me that 17 applications of Mothers Mag Polish didn't actually take you 4 months to get that effect.
LOL nope it didn't...it took 4 months for my lazy @$$ to walk into the back yard and snap a few pics. I could do 2 applications/night while watching some *insert war/western/action movie here/usually Tombstone* And back in Febuary we actually had some rainy days in sunny So-Cal...so its been shiny for a while. It did take me 8 coats to figure out 1) you really need to press HARD, and 2) it needs more light then the one single bulb in my room to really shine...like I said above, I'm a little slow sometimes.

Congrats, it came out nice.
Thank you all for your compliments, encouragement and direction...if it wasn't for this forum I probably wouldn't have done it...but seeing some of your fine pieces I wanted to show my 686-6 with its poor unfortunate ugly pimple everyone hates could be as beautiful as those Colts.

RFB

P.S. Ya know something stupid, when I got this gun it felt big...then I just got a Ruger Blackhawk with a 6.5" barrel and now my Smith feels like a 3"...strangest thing.

[Warren]

Beautiful!

[Eightball]

Dang you man, now you've got me wanting to do the same thing with my Smith.

How many coats after you figured out you needed to do it HARD did it take to get that shiny? And I presume your cleaning methods got rid of any cylinder burn moreso than the Mother's?

[RobertFBurnett]

^^^ iirc it took about 6 hard coats to get rid of that dull gray factory S&W coat to shiny, the other coats were to get it even shinier and a few coats after I shot it to restore the picture perfect sheen.

The cylinder burn is ALL Kleen Bore Lead away cloths, it needs to be free of crud before polishing. Also...DO NOT spray on any Break Free CLP, it won't come off by wiping, it just keeps smearing...I had to take some rubbing alcohol to get it off.

The greatest thing also is its a $4.99+completely reversable job, no need to send it anywhere or pay alot.

RFB

[Master Blaster]

Blue flitz metal and fiberglass polish that comes in the Gray tube, will also give you a mirror polish, and you don't have to press hard when you rub. It may be a tad more aggressive than Mothers as it has a very fine abrasive.

[Marshall]

Blue flitz metal and fiberglass polish that comes in the Gray tube, will also give you a mirror polish, and you don't have to press hard when you rub. It may be a tad more aggressive than Mothers as it has a very fine abrasive.

Or the other way around. Of the two guns I have done, Mothers was faster for me, the Flitz took longer and is more expensive. But a real light coat of Flitz worked great on one of my blued guns to bring back a sheen.

[jfh]

I'm curious--are you shooting it as much as you were before the mirror finish?

I'll assume any handling marks, etc., are more noticable, but does the brighter finish make it easier to do daily maintenance?

Jim H.

[GUNKWAZY]

I'll assume any handling marks, etc., are more noticable, but does the brighter finish make it easier to do daily maintenance?


It's easier to whipe up and clean when they are polished.
No more nooks & crannies for the powder to hide in.
Been polishing my shooters for years and have had a much easier job cleaning them ever since.
Also, generally speaking, handling marks are less noticable and easy to remove than say a bead or media blasted finish.


Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

[glockman19]

Beautiful.

Thanks for the look

[kv501]

Very, very nice. Thanks for the pictures. I bet it does indeed get a lot of "nickel-plated" inquiries

[jetman]

Mothers does a great job! Here's what it did for my Anaconda. I did the same deal on my 6" SS Python but haven't had a chance to take pics of it yet.
Before:
http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/10068/2042972650010258782S600x600Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2042972650010258782eOjIAp)

After:
http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/5577/2283901530010258782S600x600Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2283901530010258782lDdJzu)

[jfh]

Well, you inspired me, RobertFBurnett.

I ran out and bought the Mother's, then I broke down the Model 60 / 3" and started in. After about hours or so, I have about three complete go-overs. I did a complete reassembly, and I then compared it to my untouched 640 of the same vintage (new guns, purchased about ten months ago).

Looks much better--but I would guess 17 go-rounds is about right. It certainly is more than than 3.

No pictures until I get there, either--or at least to six, for a comparison. (I did do a few quick pictures before I started.)

[RobertFBurnett]

Thanks you jfh, it should be added that jetmans Colt above was my inspiration. :)

RFB

[boots]

nice pieces fellas...


i did the same thing to my ruger accusport, but i gave up after about 4 coats...perhaps when i have more spare time i will go over a few more times...

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii9/bootstrenf/DSC00469.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii9/bootstrenf/DSC00468.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii9/bootstrenf/DSC00467.jpg

[merritt459]

RobertFBurnet,
I love what you have done and would like to duplicate it on my 629MG. Before I make a mistake, I would like to ask a couple of questions. (May seem stupid, but I figure I'll ask anyway.)

1. Did you polish the inside of the bore/cylinder chambers? -Would this mess them up?
2. Did you polish the ejector rod/yoke-crane?
3. Did you polish the underside of the top strap, breach plate(?) and under the cylinder?
4. Did you remove the grip and polish the entire butt of the gun?
5. To simplify the Questions: What do I not polish with Mothers?

I have had my MG for awhile and have just started shooting it. Boy is it a hoot.

[MikePGS]

If you ever need to use it in a defensive situation, you'll have the added advantage of causing temporary blindness to the offender :D

[YodaVader]

Even more than the 17 coats of Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish on there I really love what the Ahrends grips add to it both in looks and feel. Highly recommended.

That looks great! I really like it! And you are right about those Ahrends grips - makes my rubber Hogues look like some kind of left over scrap from a tire factory. I might have to check into those for my 686 too!

I have been working on my own 686 from time to time with the Mothers Mag Polish , in fact it is almost used up! My Single Six is getting the treatment too. I decided to do my 27 year old 66 too since the factory "polish" has some imperfections.

Also very nice job jetman , on the Anaconda!

[RobertFBurnett]

1. Did you polish the inside of the bore/cylinder chambers? -Would this mess them up?

No! Answered later in #5

2. Did you polish the ejector rod/yoke-crane?

Only a couple of times, more to get crud off than shine on.

3. Did you polish the underside of the top strap, breach plate(?) and under the cylinder?

Same as above.

4. Did you remove the grip and polish the entire butt of the gun?

I was polishing when I had Hogue monos on it so when I did take off the grips it was more to get the backstrap or just under the edges where crud would collect.

5. To simplify the Questions: What do I not polish with Mothers?

Like Q1, nothing with 0.02" tolerances that can hurt you. Sides, outside of barrel, backstrap, etc. are fine. Not the cylinder face, cone, charge holes, etc. On another site someone with a new S&W 500 wanted to know if he should polish his cylinder face, I said no there too, I cannot even imagine a 500 with incorrect gapping.

Thanks you all!

RFB

[Black Majik]

Dang, so shiny! :D

Looks great.

[Moonclip]

Richard, you should have kept you 686-4 and blinged it out as well:)

[10-Ring]

:cool: purdy :D

[Black Majik]

Richard, you should have kept you 686-4 and blinged it out as well :)


LOL Paul. Truth be told I really miss my 686-4 PP. I never gave it a chance... sold it for a Glock :barf:

We're heading up to Angeles sunday. Interested?

[RobertFBurnett]

We're heading up to Angeles sunday. Interested?

:banghead:

YES! but I can't make it, I work and then have plans to buy 7 pounds of BBQ and have dinner with the ex-fiance. Its both of our Birthdays Thurs. :) Thanks for the invite though, if I'm ever available I'm there!

Speaking of range time though I took my 226 out again this afternoon with the new CT Grips....its getting scary! Is it legal in Germany to marry a SIG yet? 100 trouble free rounds, i'm finally up to 500 and I think its broken in...the slide rattles, things sound like they're wiggling around in the frame, and its more accurate and reliable than ever, sounds like a service pistol. Once I add that solid guide rod its gonna be Sweeet. :)

Now its also my first time shooting with lasers, first off, they are just nice grips, a little large, but that squishy back strap is nice, and after putting in 15 rounds into a 3"x2" blue square at 12 yards (I know, not great, but good for me, I'm still practicing.) with both iron and laser sighting I can see their advantages and disadvantages. The thing I probably liked best was having both eyes open to take a laser guided shot, to have full field of vision could be beneficial in a SD situation.

Have fun Sunday, I will try and catch you next time,

RFB

[mikey357]

NICE "Polish" Job! Got a question about the GUN...it looks like a "Dash 6", yet appears to have a FORGED Trigger...is that trigger ORIGINAL to the gun?..TIA....mikey357

[RobertFBurnett]

Thank you mikey357,

As for the trigger I'm 99% sure it is, the only reason for doubt is I bought it brand new and then sent it right to S&W for a master revolver trigger job. I think they just work on the trigger, but cannot guarantee its the exact same one that came with it from the factory or what they might have done to it.

Also yes it is a dash-6, it has an internal lock that has never budged, and I love it.

RFB

[mikey357]

RFB, THANKS for the "Rest of the Story"!!! The "Master Revolver Action Package" from the "Performance Center" explains what I thought I saw...it IS an older-style "Forged" trigger, with an "Overtravel Stop", that the "PC" USED TO install when doing an "Action Job" on the newer guns that have the "MIM" Lockparts...I THOUGHT that the trigger looked "Different"...THAT 'splains it! BTW, of late, the "PC" does NOT use the "Forged" trigger in their "Action Jobs" on the newer guns, but you got one of the "Good Ones"...FWIW....mikey357

[RobertFBurnett]

I had no idea! But thanks for the info, any changes on the hammer that you can tell?

RFB

[jad0110]

As for the trigger I'm 99% sure it is, the only reason for doubt is I bought it brand new and then sent it right to S&W for a master revolver trigger job. I think they just work on the trigger, but cannot guarantee its the exact same one that came with it from the factory or what they might have done to it.

I'm considering having an action job performed on my Smiths. Can you give us your opinion of the improvement you experienced? I'd rate the DA pull of my 686 as "acceptable", I would like for it to be excellent.

Awesome gun by the way. I used Flitz on my 686 and performed a light polishing. Evened out the finish nicely, though it certainly doesn't look nickel plated.

I too like Ahrends grips :cool: :


http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q139/jad0110/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20Model%20686%20Plus%20357%20Magnum/IMG_1587.jpg

[RobertFBurnett]

^ Nice, kinds has that Satin Stainless look! :cool:

The trigger job is amazing, the DA is lighter and the SA is light and crisp. The ONLY downside to having the trigger job done is if you happen to shortstroke the trigger, and not let it fly forward, the action doesn't properly reset and the hammer just bobs up and down as the cylinder turns.

If you let the trigger reset, its great, so like on a dedicated EDC I would say no for SD applications, as a paper punching sometimes backpacking gun its great.

RFB

[Moonclip]

I'd like to go but only like a 10% chance I'll make it. I have a lot of new stuff to bring out. Richard, 686's are going up in value too. Orange Turners had a 686-3 for $600!

[Lawnman380]

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r134/frankcape/frank%20sub%201/65-knives001.jpghttp://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r134/frankcape/frank%20sub%201/629-3-8008.jpg Here's a couple I did.

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Lawman, that top one looks almost polished blue it's mirror finish.
Nice work.

[Magnum.35744]

Very Nice :D

[bannockburn]

Lawnman380

Super polishing jobs on both of them. Please fill us in on the details; how long it took, how many applications, where did you get those nice grips, etc.?

[jetman]

I posted my Anaconda earlier and thought I'd update with my Python I just recently got. Mothers Mag Polish like the other is the key. It started off life as a matte stainless with factory rubber grips. I just added the elbow grease and a set of Colt Custom Shop Rosewood grips. Click on the pics for more/higher resolution pics.
BEFORE:
http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/41251/2957353360010258782S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2957353360010258782TcPuEL)
http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/42859/2413225320010258782S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2413225320010258782YaBKmh)
http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/40312/2390430940010258782S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2390430940010258782TnZzVo)

AFTER:
http://inlinethumb11.webshots.com/27018/2543382020010258782S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2543382020010258782UGcGIc)
http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/40156/2027415220010258782S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2027415220010258782oHMQVz)
http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/40915/2138727100010258782S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2138727100010258782dzwVpA)
http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/31278/2760530000010258782S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2760530000010258782ALZgaA)

[RobertFBurnett]

Is it just the angle of that pic or are Colt Python Hammer HUGE?

Nice pics jetman!

RFB

[Bullet]

Well you guys with those polished guns have made me want to try. So I bought some Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish yesterday and have been polishing for a few hours. Looks like it’s going to turn out nice. Thanks.

[Eightball]

Not to temporarily hijack, but I read somewhere lately on THR that such shiny hand-polishing on a revolver actually reduces the value of the firearm......thoughts?

[Bullet]

Smith & Wesson’s Performance Center charges extra to polish a revolver -

High Bright Polish (Blue, Stainless Steel or Nickel) - $225.00

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CustomContentDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&content=18302&sectionId=11522


.

[jfh]

OK, Thumbnail one links to how my M60-3" looked before, and thumbnail two shows it after about six sessions. The cylinder has only been worked on twice.

Jim H.

[jetman]

Eightball, to answer your question, if I ever intended to sell either my Anaconda or Python as NIB safe queens I never would have shot or polished either one of them. I bought them both as shooters which already reduces the collectors "value" somewhat. I really don't see 6" Stainless .44 mag Anacondas becoming particularly RARE collectibles in my lifetime anyway... and after I'm gone it really doesn't matter. As for the Python, it is a little more valuable than the Anaconda, but again 6" stainless Pythons are far from rare in todays market. If I ever get tired of the shiny look it will only take a little experimentation with some Scotchbrite pads to duplicate the factory matte look. If I really suck at that they can both be sent back to Colt and they could refinish them to original condition, and not likely anyone would be the wiser.

[davepool]

be right back...going to store to get Mothers for my .460 XVR

[Guillermo]

you guys are serious into your bling!

this is a fun thread

[Dksimon]

Props to all of you who posted pictures. Awesome stuff, I don't know if I have the patience for something like that. definitely cool projects tho

[GUNKWAZY]

In response to reducing the value of your guns...

I've been polishing my shooters and some NON-shooters for years.
If done correctly, they are easier to clean and maintain. They get more looks at the range and even sell for more when needing to upgrade.
It's all a matter of personal preference.

Here's my shorty 500 polished by hand & engraved by hand.

http://members.aol.com/toykwazy/engraved500.jpg

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

[TimboKhan]

Shiny guns aren't really my bag, but I have to say that you guys certainly have some good-looking pieces. I am impressed!

[Confederate]

Where's the best place to get Mother's wax? I've looked locally but can't seem to find it.

[jetman]

You can get Mothers products at most any major Auto Parts chains like Autozone, Pep Boys etc...

[Confederate]

Thanks!

[ProTourAero]

Look like I need to get some "Mothers" polish.Man those look nice!
Here's my 686!

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg70/protouraero/GunCases019.jpg

[Oro]

Nice box, Mike, where'd you get that? I thought I had posted pics of my 686, guess I hadn't. I haven't got it to full shine yet - just do it one episode of CSI or such at a time. I've also got a 66, 67, and 629 in the rotation line-up, so it doesn't get polished as often as it needs. Here's it's current state:

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd275/kamerer/S-W/686/IMGP2818.jpg

[Bullet]

A couple I'm working on -

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll98/Bullet94_2008/DSC01498.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll98/Bullet94_2008/DSC014862.jpg

[deputy tom]

Bullet,that first pic sent me over the edge.Clean,crisp,understated.I am in love.tom.

[Bullet]

deputy tom

Glad you like it. That Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish really shines.

[chris in va]

That's it, I'm polishing my SP.

[hankdatank1362]

Any special tricks or is it just patience?

[rollcage]

why did i read this thread..... now i'm going to have to polish my 686. i like the grips too. looks great

[RobertFBurnett]

^ Mwahahahahahaaaaa ;)

why did i read this thread..... now i'm going to have to polish my 686.

Its all part of my evil plan, if everyone is at home polishing, thats a less crowded range for me! ;)

Thank you,

RFB

[Rock_Steady]

Going to sound stupid, but can I do this to my GP100 without damaging it? Those revovlers are simply beautiful.

[Bullet]

Going to sound stupid, but can I do this to my GP100 without damaging it?

You can do it without damaging it.

[deanodog]

Here is a police trade-in model 65. They shine too

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c375/deanodog/revolvers/000_0437model65.jpg

[rollcage]

how long till all the fine fine scratches come out. i'm on my 11th or so go around, and don't get me wrong its blingin'. its just not flawless.

do you still have some fine scratches that just aren't showing in the pics?

i'll post up mine when i'm done, oh and one other thing is the mothers polish abrasive at all? the stuff i'm using isn't very aggressive IMO.

[Oro]

I have found it also matters what you polish with, Rollcage. Using a paper towel or such isn't too helpful, nor is a t-shirt, really. What I find worked best was a tube sock turned inside out. The "hooky" fleecy interior cotton was just rough enough to really polish without being too agressive.

Yes, Mother's does have some abrasive in it - either silica or diatomaceous earth - but very, very mild. I've used it to gently take rust off blued guns and leave the blue. Rubbing hard will take the blue off, too. With stainless you don't have to worry about that, so you can use a more agressive approach and polishing pad. Also, once the tube socks turn black, you can just toss them in the washer with some bleach and they'll be good as new again, no need to throw them away.

[RobertFBurnett]

^ If you have a Harley dealership near you they sell a 25+- pack of polishing cloths. I still like cotton t-shirts or socks, but of they're good enough for $30,000 bikes its ok for my S&W.

RFB

[rollcage]

almost done front half of the gun. this took about 2 1/2 hours in case anybody wonders how long it'll take. what do you think?

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/6663/img2808ny3.jpg

[Bullet]

Lookin good!!!

[rollcage]

haha, thanks i thought so too.... i made it my new wallpaper

[Eroc]

Beautiful, I love the grips too.

[Virginian]

Well, I love all those polished beauties. Gen. Patton would just have to think I was a pimp.

[Oro]

Hey Rollcage, what did you use as a polishing cloth? Something special, tube socks, or what. Looks nice.

It's easier to do the frame and cylinder if you take out the cylinder and take off the cylinder latch.

[2nd 41]

That is a show piece. Nice

[duucfho]

That looks great. I also have a new 686, and I just might polish the hell out of it.

Like Q1, nothing with 0.02" tolerances that can hurt you. Sides, outside of barrel, backstrap, etc. are fine. Not the cylinder face, cone, charge holes, etc. On another site someone with a new S&W 500 wanted to know if he should polish his cylinder face, I said no there too, I cannot even imagine a 500 with incorrect gapping.

I'm new to guns, and need some clarification. So, in layman's terms, you don't polish anything that faces directly to the front or rear? Only sides and top/bottom surfaces?

[Markbo]

almost done front half of the gun. this took about 2 1/2 hours in case anybody wonders how long it'll take. what do you think?
rollcage, I think if you made the pic smaller so I don't have to scroll back and forth I would be able to see it better... particularly since the central/focused area is so small.


^^^ iirc it took about 6 hard coats to get rid of that dull gray factory S&W coat to shiny, the other coats were to get it even shinier and a few coats after I shot it to restore the picture perfect sheen.

The cylinder burn is ALL Kleen Bore Lead away cloths, it needs to be free of crud before polishing. Also...DO NOT spray on any Break Free CLP, it won't come off by wiping, it just keeps smearing...I had to take some rubbing alcohol to get it off.

The greatest thing also is its a $4.99+completely reversable job, no need to send it anywhere or pay alot. RFB

RFB - a couple of questions if you will. I have purposely never bought any Kleen Bore lead away cloths for the sole reason I am afraid they will take bluing off of a gun and use them incorrectly. What else would you recommend to get the carbon rings off of stainless & blued guns?

I have a box of polishing media and different buffing wheels. Do you think that I could do the initial work with buffing wheels and then get the small stuff by hand? I really had no want to start a project like this until I saw this thread (thanks a lot! :cuss:) but now I have some ideas... like leaving the muzzle, front of the cylinder, trigger, hammer and top strap (and sights of course) all matte. If I don't like the look I can always polish more and I have a blast cabinet so I can always go back to all matte.


Gunkwazy - who did your engraving? I think it is VERY tastefully done. Not overdone, but enough to make it nice. Probably about B coverage? Is there any way that you can post more pics not outside - the sky makes it look like it's blued.

ProTourAero - where did you get that box?

[RobertFBurnett]

Quote:
Like Q1, nothing with 0.02" tolerances that can hurt you. Sides, outside of barrel, backstrap, etc. are fine. Not the cylinder face, cone, charge holes, etc. On another site someone with a new S&W 500 wanted to know if he should polish his cylinder face, I said no there too, I cannot even imagine a 500 with incorrect gapping.

I'm new to guns, and need some clarification. So, in layman's terms, you don't polish anything that faces directly to the front or rear? Only sides and top/bottom surfaces?


Yes, but to be more accurate it would be Do Not polish anything the bullet sits in or passes by/through. That makes it the Charge holes, forcing cone, cylinder face, inside the barrel, muzzle is a no-no. I'm not speaking from expierience, just safety. The reason being that the polish is a light abrasive, and too much can change dimensions, so I'm told.

RFB - a couple of questions if you will. I have purposely never bought any Kleen Bore lead away cloths for the sole reason I am afraid they will take bluing off of a gun and use them incorrectly. What else would you recommend to get the carbon rings off of stainless & blued guns?

I have a box of polishing media and different buffing wheels. Do you think that I could do the initial work with buffing wheels and then get the small stuff by hand? I really had no want to start a project like this until I saw this thread (thanks a lot! ) but now I have some ideas... like leaving the muzzle, front of the cylinder, trigger, hammer and top strap (and sights of course) all matte. If I don't like the look I can always polish more and I have a blast cabinet so I can always go back to all matte.


You bet your sweet Bippy the lead away will take off bluing. It is Stainless only, AND wash your hands after using them, I have a $110 Spyderco with a light gray smear on the side of the black blade from when a little got on there and I wiped it off. A shooter at my local gun store reccomended any good cleaner that is made for carbon removal on Bluing...I havn't tried it yet as my new Blue revolver is in the shop without a shot fired...but ts what was reccomended.

As for the power tools...I have no idea, I've never used them and have been told they are not good for firearms. I'm all hands on with my polishing.

Oh yes, Rollcage: L-O-V-E the way you caught the "S&W .357 Magnum" lettering in your pic! :)

TTFN,

RFN

[rollcage]

yeah guys, i knew the pic was big, but i wanted to use the size to show the detail.

i used a sock turned inside out, and MAAS polish. its super concentrated so you only use a bit. i'm now where near finished, but i bought some special felt wheels for my dremel. the dremel is a variable speed one so i don't worry about building to much heat. as far as the bits one has a knife edge which is really helpful around some of the 90 degree edges, as well as near the top strap. the rest is all by hand.

robert: i posted that shot on purpose, because of how it flash caught the lettering. and thanks for the great idea. i never shoulda started cause now every little light scratch really annoys me

[rollcage]

oh and whats involved in taking of cylinder and the latch? never took one apart.

[RobertFBurnett]

^ The screw right behind S&W made in Mass etc Carefully unscrew that, open the cyinder and gently pull the whole crane assembly forward.

i never shoulda started cause now every little light scratch really annoys me

True, but you really get to know your gun, like mine has a little ripple in the steel right in front of the Etched S&W under the cylinder release button, or you can see in my first pic the metal under the cylinder but above the trigger catches the light a little different because its not as smooth as say the trigger guard.

Keep polishing my Disciples, remember thumb callouses and drool are your rewards for hours of painfull work! j/k ;)

RFB

[rollcage]

funny you say that, because i notice the same thing under my cylinder. kinda hard to explain, but it definitely has a different look. almost like they didn't do any polish or prep before polish. :dunno:

[duucfho]

So, once everything is polished, and you shoot again, I assume you just go through regular cleaning procedures using breakfree, etc? Once cleaned, do you just put another one or two coats of polish again?

Thanks!

[Safety First]

The 686 plus is on my radar, along with a few other revolvers. I hope to make a final decision soon. I have yet to see a 686 that looks as good as yours, very nice!

[rollcage]

i'd bet you won't find one that has the finish, but they are all nice IMO.

i don't think you can go wrong with a 686

[Bullet]

One more -

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll98/Bullet94_2008/DSC01511.jpg


http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll98/Bullet94_2008/DSC01509.jpg

[rollcage]

very nice

[Srigs]

Here is a couple non 686s.

My Model 60 no dash...
http://esrigs.home.comcast.net/~esrigs/guns/m60a.jpg

http://esrigs.home.comcast.net/~esrigs/guns/m60b.jpg

My Model 66-1...
http://www.sideguardholsters.com/extra/sw66-1b.JPG

http://www.sideguardholsters.com/extra/sw66-1d.JPG

[Markbo]

Hmmmm... the more I think about it, the less I want a total super polish job. What say yee about either just doing the outside of the cylinder or just doing the frame and blasting the cylinder to a matte finish?

[jfh]

http://i31.tinypic.com/2h6ye0i.jpg

The M60-3" I would call about 70% done, but only about 50% effort as I finish it up. The cylinder on this one has only been worked on twice.

The M63-5" is just started. I've gone over most of the frame and barrel twice, and nothing on the cylinder yet.

Jim H.

[rollcage]

looks good, i still need to finish mine

[Riot Earp]

Anybody got any new pics? I'm polishing a stainless Vaquero with Flitz but am thinking of using Mother's for the finishing touch. I'm using large cleaning patches to apply the Flitz -- they have just the right amount of coarseness and help me reach difficult areas. Will post a pic when I am finished. (And when my custom grips come in!)

[rollcage]

thread bump outta nowhere. anyone got any new pics? i'm still working on mine. i keep getting it where i think i'm about done, then i shoot it a bunch and end up nit picking every lil angle.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Pron. The word we use (if you must) is "Pron" - see the juxtaposed letters? Thank you.

[brockgl]

Here are some pics of my 686 after the first 17 hours of polishing. I have new grips coming this week too which should help the overall look of the gun.

http://www.brockglaze.net/images/686/before_after.jpg

http://www.brockglaze.net/images/686/686_s1.jpg

http://www.brockglaze.net/images/686/686_s2.jpg

http://www.brockglaze.net/images/686/686_s7.jpg

And this is tonight after I removed my hammer and trigger and gave them a good polish...

http://www.brockglaze.net/images/686/nightstand_1.jpg

http://www.brockglaze.net/images/686/nightstand_2.jpg

[Svery]

RobertFBurnett, I'd love to know what holster you have there?

[Svery]

RobertFBurnett, I'd love to know what holster you have there?

[GUNKWAZY]

FYI: It would be much easier to send him a PM than revive a 6 month old thread trying to get him to respond to you.

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

[Hostile Amish]

Is that just for revolvers? If not I may try using it on one of my SS 1911's. However, I definitely WILL be trying it on my Python. Thanks for posting.

[Svery]

tried that, nothing yet.

[S&W-Keeper]

Good job,I am impressed.

[heron]

Wow! A revolver that doubles as a signaling mirror!
Beautiful job. I love those grips, too.