Polishing a Satin Stainless Steel Finish

[GearHead_1]

I've been doing some searching both here at the THR and on the Internet. I'm looking for any insight, tips or tricks anyone might have with respect to polishing a stainless revolver. I have a S&W .22 that I would like to attempt this on. I tried doing this a few years ago using a Dremel, a rouge wheel and metal polish it was a disaster. This obviously isn't the way to achieve quality results. I ended up sending that pistol back to S&W and had the satin finish restored.

I've seen a few who have successfully accomplished this in pictures on this site. I know it can be done but I'm not sure I know how do it. This gun isn't shot much and I realize that polishing it puts a delicate finish on the revolver. This doesn't concern me. I just want to own a fully polished revolver. I've seen some who have claimed good success using a Flitz Ball and polish. What have you used or what would you recommend? If you have a picture for inspiration and wouldn't mind posting it I would also appreciate this. Thanks.

 

[bannockburn]

GearHead 1

I used to use Flitz but I have since found Mother's Mag Polish to be the best product for polishing stainless steel. You can find it at almost any auto parts supply store. I use the paste that comes in a small jar; you don't need much and it works fine just applying it with a soft cotton cloth by hand. I saw pretty amazing results after 7 applications; other who have done far more applications can show you guns that you would swear where nickel or chromed plated. Something you can easily accomplish just sitting around watching TV or while listening to the radio.

 

[GearHead_1]

That's exactly what I'm looking to do. I've used Mother's metal polish a number of times. I've got a bottle of PoorBoys Pro Polish 2. It's a boutique automotive product but it is an amazing polish. I polished a .50 BMG round with it last night and it was almost unbelievable. It looked like a brass mirror. Did you by chance try the Flitz ball (not the polish)? I want to try and make it look as if it were hard chromed.

 

[Nate C.]

I'm no 'smith, but I don't recommend taking a Dremel to any finish.

 

[JohnnyOrygun]

I managed to scratch my SA Stainless Steel 1911 and I polished out the scratch with really fine automotive sandpaper, I started with about 800 and worked up to 2000 grit using wet/dry paper and wetting it. Took quite a bit of elbow grease, but the scratch is gone and gun is pretty shiny. After I finished with 2000 grit I used some auto mag polish (it wasn't Mothers) but it worked really nice. But don't use the dremel (I have one and it's very handy, but not for gun finishes) only use your elbow and hands... no power tools. Just go slow. IMHO

Good Luck

 

[SaxonPig]

I used a one horsepower bench grinder with an 8" buffing wheel to make my 659 and M64 all shiny.

Both were ex-cop guns that looked pretty sad when they arrived.

I tried that Fitz stuff but after about a gazillion hours I got tired of screwing around and went to Mr. Benchgrinder (as I call it).

 

[GearHead_1]

Dremel is NOT a "gunsmith tool" ! ! !

The people who finish firearms at the factories get paid big bucks for doing a specialized skilled task. Besides being highly skilled, they have expensive, specialized equipment.

NOTHING screws up a gun faster than a Dremel.

I think we got past the Dremel issue in my very first post. I said it was a disaster, I think it would be obvious we weren't going down that road again.

Satin finish stainless is satin finish -- which requires a specific finish wheel.

I've got no idea what you are trying to say here. I want to go beyond a satin finish.

Now what do you have to offer with regard to polishing the gun? Let's talk about what has worked well for you.

 

[GearHead_1]

I used a one horsepower bench grinder with an 8" buffing wheel to make my 659 and M64 all shiny.

I had considered this but was afraid some of the lines that are meant to be crisp would disappear, particularly on the cylinder. Do you have any pictures by chance? I've pretty much come to the conclusion this is going to be best accomplished doing it sans machine.