How can I remove minor nicks/scratches and holster marks from a stainless steel Ruger

[RustyShackelford]

Howdy gang;
Any input on how to remove nicks, scratches and wear marks from a stainless steel Ruger GP-100 DA revolver?
My duty GPNY 4" .38spl fell on a concrete surface, while I pumped gas into my patrol car and now has a few small nicks in the cylinder. :banghead:

I was thinking about steel wool or maybe a dremel tool to smooth out the nicks. I'd think the minor holster wear marks from my kydex Bladetech holster could be removed too. The wear marks are along the GPNY's barrel.

PM me or post here.

Thank you;
Rusty
PS: I'm also thinking about a Robar NP3 plate job later on down the road but want to remove these scratches first. www.robarguns.com

 

[gb6491]

For minor wear, I use a satin finish buff on a Dremel tool: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=331195

Sanding small nicks out shouldn't be too hard, but back your sand paper with some type of sanding block to get an even surface and avoid divots. You can find sandpaper in 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 grit (super duper fine) at most Auto parts stores (or automotive paint stores). Hardware stores usually have the coarser grits ( 220,320,400,600).

Buffing is also useful (and can be done with a Dremel). Bench buffers are are excellent tools, but dangerous. They grab and throw things with considerable force- http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/buffman.htm

Regards,
Greg

 

[18DAI]

I use Scotchbrite pads (the white and the gray ones, fine and med) and Mothers mag polish. Both are available at car parts stores.

I put a light coat of breakfree over my model 66's, then make consistant passes over it with the scotchbrite pads, parallel with the "grain of the stainless steel.

I use the medium pad first, then the fine.

When completed, I wipe off the revolver, and lightly polish it with the Mothers mag polish. A word of caution, less is more with Mothers. It is easy to make the finish a high polished stainless, resembling bright nickel. Good luck! TJ

 

[RustyShackelford]

Thanks! Keep it coming...

I may be able to use a Dremel tool but the pads/polish ideas sound good too.

Thanks for the posts!
-RS

 

[DMK]

Just keep in mind that however deep those nicks and scratches are, that's how much metal you will need to remove. If they are deep, you may want to start out with a coarse abrasive until the scratches are less visible, then move down to finer grades.

 

[Waywatcher]

I've found varying degrees of pressure with scotch brite pads has different effects. I start off with firm pressure and continually lessen.

Always follow the grain or it will look terrible.