Recommendations, suggestions appreciated

[DallasCop2566]

Back in ancient history when duty weapons were restricted to
mostly revolvers, I carried a Smith and Wesson Model 686 (stainless finish, 4 inch barrel, .357 magnum caliber).

I retired and a friend that is an officer in a suburban police department and is assigned to motorcycle traffic enforcement borrowed it and carried it while his normal duty weapon was being repaired.

Apparently he used an old worn out holster and the strap snap on the inside next to the weapon was completely exposed and scratched the right side of the weapon, mostly on the side plate,cylinder and somewhat along the right side of the
barrel. I guess with all the vibration and bouncing, it really caused a lot of scratches.

I was wondering if it was possible to nickle plate a stainless weapon, anybody had experience with this procedure?

I had a suggestion to take it to a metal polishing establishment, but all I found don't do small jobs or weapons.

Any suggestions, recommendations greatly appreciated.

Another chapter in the life of Poor Old Roy-----------:banghead:

 

[10X]

You don't need to nickel plate it. I don't even know if you can plate stainless.

Bead blast it. If done right it will look like new. Surely, there must be a smith in DFW that can do that.

 

[Oro]

I would do it myself if I were you. Start with fine sandpaper just enough to cut out the scratches. Then progress to polishing rouge and then finish with Flitz or mother's mag polish. You can get the whole gun shiny, or just take it to where it matches the finish on the rest of the gun. This is one of the great virtues of SS - it's a "finish" you can repair at home with just a little elbow grease.

OR, you can sand it until it's just got the scratches out, then take it to have it bead blasted for about $40 and it will all be uniform and matte.

This girl was pretty scratchy when I got her. Much better now:

 

[mercedesrules]

Years ago I used #0000 steel wool on a stainless S&W model 60 chiefs special and it worked out fine. A little wool did get into the action during the process.