How fragile is S&W laser etching

[edwardyoung]

I'm picking up a 629-3 Classic this week from 1991 that has the barrel marking and S&W logo 'etched' on the metal, not roll-stamped in the metal. How careful should I be when cleaning. I'm assuming steel wool would probably make it disappear completely. How do y'all clean yours with this type of etching. Thanks

 

[P95Carry]

Ed .... just taken a peek at the writing on my 629-6 Mountain Gun ..... and the etching is certainly very shallow. However, I really think the only thing that would marr this is abrasive. Normal cleaning with ''usual'' things like #9 etc ... and a wipe over exterior with RIG or a CLP cloth .... will have no real effect at all.

It would take I think a determined effort (and much elbow grease!) with bore paste or similar .. before this was degradeable.

You mention ''steel'' ref cleaning .. are you referring to ''steel wool''?? I'd not be reckong to use that on the exterior!

That'll be a lovely piece ... N frames rock!

 

[edwardyoung]

Thanks. Yes I did mean to type 'wool', not 'would' twice. I have used steel wool on blue and stainless guns. I can see how it might induce scratches on nickel or polished stainless, but why else would you say not to use it? Thanks

 

[edwardyoung]

I also meant to agree with you, N-frames do rock. I have been without one for about a year. What is wrong with me? Oh yeah, poverty.

 

[P95Carry]

but why else would you say not to use it?

Aha .... the steel wool thing.! I can honestly say that IMHO ... it is best kept away from guns if possible. Even a whisp that gets in the wrong place can be a bugger ... under the star is not uncommon - and even into the hammer slot and down into the ''internals''..

If you have access to high power magnification ... take a look at an area that has been ''rubbed'' with even the finest steel wool ... it is soft only in as much as it is mild steel .. but nonetheless I do consider it has a cutting action ... subtle tho that may be.

If used VERY judiciously, and with copious amounts of oil .. it certainly will be a good way to deal with a spot of rust on bluing ..... but take that too far and bluing is (can be) removed rather too easily.

On an all stainless gun .. with no etching to worry about, then it can be useful if you want that type of finish .. but from choice I think a carefully used piece of oiled Scotchbrite â„¢ is a better way to go.

People's views will I'm sure vary on this.

 

[dfariswheel]

It's NOT a good idea to use steel wool on stainless.
The steel wool particles will embed into the stainless, and will rust.

I've had people shocked that their stainless gun had rusty patches, and admitted that they had used steel wool to remove leading, or scratches.

The synthetic sanding or "blending" pads work very well, with no potential for rust problems.

The laser marks on the S&W's are deeper and more durable than they look, but NOT as durable as roll markings.

 

[P95Carry]

dfaris usefully mentioned what I had forgotten about ... indeed .. microscopic ''embedding'' of steel particulates in S/S can be regretted. I have not seen that happen first hand but there are many mentions of it I have heard over time.

 

[edwardyoung]

Thanks for the education. How fine can you get the Scotchbrite-type pads? and where?

 

[P95Carry]

How fine can you get the Scotchbrite-type pads? and where?

I only know of one grade AFAIK ... and it's obtainable from most hardware stores .. Wally Worl almost certainly will have it. Sometimes it is bonded to the back of a sponge but it should be obtainable as a simple sheet too.

I forget the name but the other ''scouring'' type material often referred to is the coiled wire type of pad .. made out of copper. I believe too you can get them made of stainless. They are on the coarse side tho I'd say.

If Scotchbriteâ„¢ is used - it's effect can be controlled quite a bit by use of different lubricants. On the one hand ... it can be used with almost neat Dawn ..... on the other, it can be used with high viscosity gear oil ..... this gives some control as to the ''aggessiveness'' of the treatment.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

I have used Flitz Metal Polish and Simichrome to clean
my Smith & Wesson 629-5 Classic, with NO harmful
effects. The laser etching looks as good as it did the
day I bought it!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[JNewell]

The green ones are most common but I've bought them in "higher grit" equivalents. I know I've got some red ones sold by 3M for finer polishing, and I've had extra-coarse black pads as well. The 3M website probably has info on the complete line and I believe they do direct order as well.

 

[edwardyoung]

Thanks for all the replies. I might just learn something before it's all over with.

 

[blfuller]

Scotch Brite pads can be had at your local auto body supply store. I think some of the larger NAPA's that have the paint centers in them have them too.

 

[dfariswheel]

Many hardware stores like Lowe's carry synthetic pads in the sandpaper department.

The ones I use the most are the 0000 steel wool-equivalent.