[4thHorseman]

I have a colt stainless steel revolver. The gunsmith wants a lot to remove the minor scratches and brush it up some and refinish it.
Any pointers? I could use some advice on what to get to do the job myself.
Thanks:)

[dfariswheel]

Do what many pro gunsmith's do.
Go down to the local hardware or Lowe's store, and visit the sandpaper section.

Look for synthetic sanding pads. These look like the green scrubbing pads sold as pot scrubbers in grocery stores.

The best for most guns is the gray 0000 equivalent. The green grocery store pads are too coarse.

To use, just lightly rub the scratches until they fade, then finish by rubbing in the same direction that the original grain finish ran, to blend in.

[4thHorseman]

dfariswheel - Hello pal. Glad to hear from you once again.
Can I refinish the entire gun like that? Cylinder and frame or there an easier way like some sort of buffing wheel?

[4v50 Gary]

I wouldn't worry about scratches. You may scratch it again anyway.

[dfariswheel]

I think Brownell's sell a "graining" wheel that uses flaps of the same type synthetic, but it's REAL easy to go too far, too fast.

You can do the entire gun, as long as you don't try this on aluminum parts.

For the cylinder, I just disassemble it and use the pad on it like a shoe shine buffing rag. Run the grain around the cylinder, not fore and aft.

I'd suggest trying it by hand first, then if it isn't to your liking, you can buy a graining wheel.

[4thHorseman]

Thanks for all the help guys. I'll try it dfarriswheel.

[Sunray]

Your buffing wheel and jeweller's rouge will do it. Make it really shiny though.

[Badger Arms]

Refinishing it will do more to hurt the value of the gun than just leaving the scratch there. You might consider contacting Colt who will refinish it to a factory look. It's impossible to match the look of the polish. How bad is this scratch that you want it refinished?