Preventing scratches on a high polish gun

[nosbocaj]

I just got a slightly used FN Hi Power in a very high gloss blue finish. From what I've gathered it was part of a CDNN batch from a few years back. It's a beautiful gun, but it seems to pick up scratches and knicks from just about anything. I've handled it carefully and only fired a few rounds through it. Does anybody know about this finish in particular? It seems much less durable that other blued guns I've handled. Also, is there any type of polish I could use to remove or prevent anymore scratches? Here's some shots of the gun for reference:

 

[Gordon_Freeman]

I know how you feel. I hate to get scratches on my guns. My recommendation would be to get another gun to use as a beater gun and leave that one in the safe. It is a nice looking gun.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

No, that is just a high polish blued gun. You will from now on only deteriorate the high polish finish. If you try to rub out the scratches, you will rub off the bluing. It is very difficult to accept, but imagine owning that gun 50 years ago, and putting normal wear and tear on it through the years. That is what happened to many that were really used as intended, and they just ended up with great care, love, and character. They look like "been there, done that". If you want to keep it as a piece of art, put it away and take it out now and then and admire it. It you choose to carry a pretty gun, and take on the normal wear and tear, you will have my respect. That is what guns are supposed to be all about. I personally like seeing normal wear on a blued gun, rather than chipped or worn off paint or polymer.

 

[Owen Sparks]

Guns are tools meant to be used. Get it coated with a utilitarian flat finish and shoot it!

 

[RTR_RTR]

Very pretty pistol

 

[nosbocaj]

Thanks for the replies. I figured as much, I just thought maybe there was some type for polish out there I could use. It's a beautiful gun, but keeping it stored away seems like such a waste. I guess when it gets too scratched out I could always hard chrome or robar it.

 

[Manco]

Maybe something like Renaissance Wax would at least help prevent minor scratches.

 

[teumessian_fox]

That bottom picture is dings. Someone was careless and hit it on something. There's nothing that will rub it out, but you might try some cold blue to cover it up.

I've got some high polish guns. I keep them in the safe and pretty much only take them out to rub them with a silcone cloth.

Any gun you use is going to show wear and tear.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Look at the bright side. The fact that it had some marks and wear on it probably got you a better price than a new gun with the same bright polish. If you carry it, put normal wear and tear on it, it might lose a LITTLE value, but there is always someone out there that doesn't mind the wear, even looks for a gun like that, so you will never lose that much, as long as it is normal wear and the occasional bump, scratch, and ding, etc. Just maintain it as best you can, and enjoy it. We are all putting on a few bumps, scratches, and nicks over the years.

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

Hopefully there's no pun intended with your "Look at the bright side", statement, Mr. SharpsDressedMan

 

[tbutera2112]

you could get it hard chromed - same shine but more durable

i like the brushed hard chrome finishes myself, not as shiny but they look great

 

[deadin]

Encase it in acrylic... no more scratchs, no more fingerprints, no more wear of any kind......

 

[wow6599]

"You can't have your cake and eat it too" comes to mind. IMHO, a high-polished blued gun (with wood grips of course) is the sexiest look out there, but it also won't stay that way long if you use it much. I also have a Hi-Power with a polished blue finish and shoot it, but treat it as if it's an egg.

Thinking about taking a park'd SA Range Officer and having it blued to look as close to the old Colt Royal Blue as possible.......but will cry for every scratch it picks up along the way.

 

[bluetopper]

Shoot it and use it as intended and don't worry about it or put it up and take it out every now and then and rub on it, caress it and admire it then put it back up.

One or the other.

 

[nosbocaj]

I appreciate the feedback. I'll probably end up trying some renaissance wax for prevention, but other than that, I guess I'll just have to accept the fact that the finish will continue to degrade. I don't have a huge collection, and I'm not at a point in my life (only 23) where I can buy guns just to store them away in a safe.

 

[gym]

Try something called "Maas". You can find it online or on ebay. It will take out ay scratch. I have used it on nickle guns for 20 years. If you have a blued finish, just use a little or it will remove the finish if you get too into it. It even removed sratches from my stainless appliances. I took a Kel-Tek, and rubbed the slide out to a stainless polished look, Used it on brass, gold, silver, and just about any metal that was scratched. It will also polish your feed ramp if used properlly. Just don't go putting preassure down on it, I have used it eith a dremmel and polishing wheel also. The stuff is great. I had a picture of my PF-9 on here someware, see if you can find it.
The funny thing is it's not gritty. just a pink paste. Once you get the big stuff off, stop, or you will discolor the finish before you know what you did.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

No need to blow a wad of cash on Renaissance wax....Just drop by your local hardware store and pick up a can of Johnson's paste wax. It will be in the wood refinishing section. A 5 buck can will do hundreds of firearm wax jobs.

 

[rellascout]

No need to blow a wad of cash on Renaissance wax....Just drop by your local hardware store and pick up a can of Johnson's paste wax. It will be in the wood refinishing section. A 5 buck can will do hundreds of firearm wax jobs.

How does the wax hold up during shooting of say 200 to 300 rounds? I would think that the wax would be good for everyday handling but not for shooting.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

The wax seems to hold up fine during shooting, IMO. However, it is gonna come off with the solvents you clean your gun with after shooting, so you gotta re-wax then.

 

[tywoo]

I have a great idea for you to do, try a process called melonite QPQ. This process is used by smith & Wesson and other big gun companies. I know a person that can do it for a lower quote that i have found. His name is Rodney Lanier he can quote you a price just call him at 8702366920 just ask for him. The process blackens your gun, helps your gun become more wear resistant and also helps keep your gun from rusting.