Polishing NON stainless steal

[GunFreak]

I have a blued 1911 and would like to produce a mirror shine on the slide flats non blued. I know I can polish the metal and I know how to do so, but what will be the best way to prevent the surface from rusting?


:banghead: Need help with this one...

Thanks ahead of time, Aaron

 

[P95Carry]

Buffing wheel with white polishing compound will do a lot .... plus it does usually seem to leave almost a protective coating - of sorts. After that tho - I think a thin film of Rig grease or .. Boeshield .... should give the required protection, after a clean up.

If the finish is smooth ..... then corrosion will be much slower getting a hold anyways.

Some may suggest laquer ... not me tho.

 

[GunFreak]

My grandfather was a gun freak as well, how ever he tended more toward the western shooting. He was clocked at 12 hundredths of a second in draw and fire speed shooting. I wish he was still with us I am sure he would teach me alot.

Anyways, suposedly the ruger single six i have that is as shiney as a mirror was previously a blued gun. I have been told that he polished it out by hand. It does rust a little ocasionally but as long as I can remember it has never had a significant problem with rusting.

I have always loved shiny stuff and would like to put some shine in my 1911.

Another ?, using bluing remover to remove bluing because I want to reblue the top before polishing the sides. Does this actually remove metal from the gun?? How well does it work, and should I worry about getting it inside the slide where the tolerences are so much greater. I don't want to mess up the pistol, it shoots great right now. Just want to dress it up.

GunFreak

 

[P95Carry]

If some bluing remains then .... probably remove that by careful use of finest steel wool or Scotchpad ..... using care also with direction of strokes ..... this does produce small surface patterning.

Arguably, there is slight metal removal, in principle .... but very minor indeed. This can all be done only on the exterior so no effect on inner areas where fit is critical. Final elements of bluing .... if good in first place, can be quite difficult to get rid of.

Others may have other suggestions.