[AKElroy]

I bought a New Model Vaquero, 4 5/8ths' Barrel in bright stainless. The gun has significant machine marks & scratches, especially the outside of the cylinder. I am not a gunsmith, and Dremel is the closest thing I have to power tools. Can someone clue me in on how to polish this to a bright mirror shine?

[Chicken-Farmer]

Flitz should buff the finish for you to a bright shine. Use a clean rag like an old cotton shirt. I wouldn't use the dremel if i was you.

Chicken-Farmer

[1Pocket]

You might look into a product called micro-mesh. It is used to remove scratches from acrylic aircraft windows and return them to optical clarity. It is a series of abrasives embedded in a rubber like base. Grit sizes go down to about 12000. I have used it to polish the shafts of cue sticks. Web site says it is also excellent for polishing metal and other products.

[cortez kid]

Don't have any pictures, but my Vaquero came out BEAUTIUL with flitz and a cloth. Just have the significant other put on some women's tv and have at it. Takes about three times to bring out the morror shine within.
kid
PS NOOOO Dremel please! Just polish with an old cotton shirt.

[Oro]

Yes, hands only. Mother's mag polish works well, too. The reason no dremel, even with the soft buffing wheel is slippage. Because the Dremel body is not very ergonomic, and because most people don't have a gun vise, at some point there is going to be a slip. And then that 5,000rpm mandrel acts like a drill bit and puts a horrific scar on the frame somewhere. Dremels and guns are generally a no-no unless you can rigidly mount the gun and are very, very good with the Dremel. I love the tool, just know its limits.

[The Lone Haranguer]

If the polishing is uneven it may turn out looking worse than the scratches. Proceed with caution.

[owlhoot]

Please, this is the ideal job for the Dremel. Use Mother's Billet Polish or Mag polish and have at it. Use a muslin wheel in your Dremel rather than a felt wheel.

The Dremel will not be able to polish out cylinder drag marks and if it did, it wouldn't help because you'd have them again when you shot the gun. But you will be able to polish out the little superficial scratches that accumulate on an often used gun.

Keep the rpm's in the low to mid-range.

[CSA 357]

Flitz with a soft rag, it will take some time

[Omaney]

There are a few posts on THR singing the praises of Mothers. Hit the search feature for all sorts of nice photos.

[AKElroy]

Thanks to all for the suggestions; looks like Flitz & an old T-shirt win the debate. When I purchased th Vaquero, the lighting was not great, although I would have bought it anyway. I am not worried about drag marks, just the factory machining. I'll see if I can get decent up close before & after Flitz shots to post accordingly.