Posted: 1/17/2008 1:54:33 AM EDT
| I was wondering if anyone can tell me a good way to polish up a stainless steel Smith and Wesson? I have a 90% condition 66 that I would like to clean up a bit and even out the finish. Thank you! |
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While the 66 is shiny, it's not a true "polished" weapon. Perhaps buffed would be a better description. Flitz is great but would make for a mirror like finish. (or shinier spots) While it would be nice looking, (opinions vary on that) it would not look original anymore. Crocus cloth, emory paper or any of the various colors of 3M scotchbrite pads can be tried to duplicate the original finish more closely. If it's just a touch up, lightly rubbing and blending the affected area, rather than doing the whole gun may be what you want. In some cases, even a pencil eraser may do the trick. Good luck with that classic. |
| Remove the grips and cylinder latch also remove your cylinder. Then polish it that way you will not have any spots that are not polished . One other thing to remember is on any of the laser engraving you want to tape them off , the polish will remove them. Go over it slow and it will turn out great. |
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I'll try to post pictures of the 66 today or tomorrow so you can see how it looks now and what might be the best option to clean it up and even out the finish. It does not have to be like a mirror(but that would be cool) just a nice even scratch free finish. Thank you for all the input! |
If you really want to go for a mirrored look follow up the Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish with Mother's Billet Metal Polish... about $15 for a jar but it puts a serious high shine on... |
Looks great! Is the nickel? |
Looks great too! How long did this take you? |
| My Anaconda pictured above had no scratches on it at all. I like the look of the Bright Stainless Steel finish Colt made on a few of it's pistols and decided to make my own. It's not quite as nice as the factory job, but still pretty close and all done by hand. |
Blue Magic works great and I have applied it to many a stainless revolver, makes it almost look like its nickel plated when done. I use a clean terry cloth wash rag and work it in by hand, takes quite a while but the end result is very impressive and you have the satisfaction of saying "Why yes sir it was polished by hand" by Me. You can find the Blue Magic at all auto parts stores and the local Wally World, I hear good results with Flitz as well but have never tried it. |
No it' not nickel, it started out life as a Matte Stainless Anaconda. Several nights with some Mothers Mag polish watching tv and I hand polished it to it's current look  
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Don't use steel wool on stainless guns! You'll leave tiny bits of wool behind that'll eventually stain said stainless finish. For a "bright" finish.....use Mothers. To touch up a "stock" finish, use 3M "grey" Scotchbrite.....rubbed with the grain, not against. |
Thanks, I had thought of the stool wool metal leaving traces and rusting, but I was very gentle and cleaned very well afterwards. So far no ill effects, but I will use the Scotch brite and the Mothers. I have that for my truck, maybe I will go for a finish like the above Anoconda on my 3" 64. R/ Mike |