Can dull spots in nickel be polished?

[rboineau]

Guys, I just came across an unfired, near-perfect .38 Safety Hammerless in nickel. Actually it would be perfect except for a couple of small areas of dullness in the nickel. Otherwise the nickel is brilliant, unscratched and looks like it was done last week.

I thought that these slightly dull areas might respond to some gentle polishing so as to match with the rest of the gun but trying a little Simichrome polish with very little pressure on a tiny area in an inconspicuous place produces no brightening. Should I rub harder or leave the gun alone? Any information from you more experienced S&W folks would be appreciated. Thanks, Ralph Boineau in central South Carolina

[PH-2]

This 581 was cloudy overall when purchased.



Multiple light polishings with Flitz followed by Rennaisance waxing yielded the results you see.

Mike

[JCS&W]

Unless it is a flaw in the nickel, the dullness you mention is probably oxidation, which produces a dull, milky or cloudy area in the finish. I use Flitz to polish my nickel Smiths, but others use Mothers Mag, MAAD, and what you used. Try polishing again, withl just finger pressure. It will take time, and probably many more applications. The dullness will not disappear rapidly. Did I say it will take some time? I have all but given up on a couple of nickel finishes, but eventually it will polish out. Good luck and take your time.

[rct269]

I have very limited experience with nickel guns----one pre-war .357 Magnum. I was going to say the finish was "frosty", until I saw Mike's word---"cloudy". Mine was one or the other. I am generally terrified of abrasives, and use 0000 bronze wool with oil for any/all heavy duty "cleaning" of the exterior. My nickel gun went from frosty/cloudy to like new in short order.

Give it a try. If it works, it works. If it doesn't, no harm-no foul-----you won't hurt anything.

Ralph Tremaine

And I cleaned the resulting mess off with Hoppes #9 solvent, which I have since been told is not a good idea for nickel.

[rboineau]

Thanks guys. Regards, Ralph Boineau