Grip Finishing Help

[rdrancher]

I just recieved a set of stags for my S&W 642-1. The grips were left a smige over-length for fitting which is my reason for asking for assistance.

I need to take of about 1/32 or so across the bottom and then want to polish like the rest of the grip surfaces.

I will file and sand to get them fitting correctly, but what about the polishing part?

Thanks in advance for the help.

rd

 

[dfariswheel]

Simply use finer and finer sand paper to remove all scratches left by the previous grit.

When you get down to the really fine stuff, you can use a polish like Flitz to bring up the shine.

The trick is, you have to use some really fine sand paper, and you can't allow any scratches from previous grits to remain.
There are polishes that use a coarser grit media than Flitz and you can start with them on coarse cloth like denim.
Polish until the material is smooth and starts to shine, then go to a finer polish.

On real stag, I wouldn't use any power equipment, especially not a Dremel.
The small power tools like the Dremel will leave the surface with a wavy surface.
On natural materials like stag, there's a risk that power polishing can burn the material, requiring you to start all over again, and this would remove too much material.

As always, when working with natural materials, WEAR A FILTER to protect your lungs.
Many natural materials can cause you to get sick, or in the case of ivory can actually give you a possibly fatal illness.

 

[rcmodel]

Try wet-sanding with 600, 800, then 1200 Wet or Dry auto-body paper for final sanding before rubbing out with automotive rubbing compound.


rcmodel

 

[rdrancher]

Thanks for the tips.

I'm allergic to cocobolo and such so I really appreciate the heads up on the health issue.

rd