Posted: 1/7/2007 6:03:30 AM EDT
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Can anyone give me some pointers on how to achieve a mirror like finish on stainless steel, what compounds, abrasive cloths, wheels, ect. to use. I have a Smith & Wesson 629 and I want that baby to shine. it appears to have a (maybe a brushed finish on it now.) from the factory. Thanks for any response! |
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Hope this helps. smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/530103904/m/875107028?r=8251038151#8251038151 (Wait I started this thread.)  |
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You can shine stainless up by using Scotchbrite pads and a good metal polish like Mother's Mag, MAAS, and any other good polish. However, the gun isn't going to have a totally mirror-like finish like a Colt Ultimate Stainless Python, because no matter how much you rub the stainless it's still going to have the small tool marks left on by the factory. Attempting to polish them out requires metal removal, and nothing looks worse than an amateur polishing job that rounds off sharp edges, leaves ripples in flats, and dishes out holes. If you want a true mirror-bright finish that looks like bright nickel, send the gun out to a top quality re-finisher like Ford's for professional polishing. If you just want a nice shiny look, use the Scotchbrite and metal polish. |
This is my Pistol and I want to keep it forever, so I dont care about resale value, I just want to make a show piece, I also have some Kim Ahrends Cocobolo, grips on the way. Maybe someday I'll have some revolvers as nice as Triggerfish. Work in progress: I'm using a felt wheel on a dremel and mothers mag. Still have alot of work to do. If I can only remember where all the parts go.   If it doesn't turn out GREAT I will just get her bead blasted. |
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Hey Slitzer, Years back I hand polished my SW 686. Just like you I wanted my everyday 357 to resemble a piece of jewelry. I stripped it down just like your picture shows. I did my whole gun with 4 different grits of sandpaper; 600, 1200, 2000, 2500. Then I broke out the dremel and polished it with two different grits of jeweler's rouge. I was thouroughly impressed with the results. There was no uneveness or any leftover tool marks. If someone can remind me how to post a picture I would be happy to show it off. It took a lot of rubbing but now I show it off every chance I get being sure everyone knows I did it myself. This may not be the most efficient way to get it done but the results were great. I can also tell you the amount of rouge and sandpaper I used came in WAY under $200!!! Gunzer
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I'd skip the dremel. It tends to leave 'ripples' for lack of a better term. Start out with the scotchbrite and a good polishing compound, as suggested already. Work your way into a cotton cloth with a finer compound, or jeweler's rouge., then finish it off with a high quality polish. Hand polishing will come out better than the dremel. Yes, it takes time. Patience is a virtue.
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