I have a 66-2 2 1/2 inch that has been polished to almost nickel appearance via "Mothers Mag Polish". While it is very pretty, I long for the original brushed stainless steel finish. I've searched the forum and found a number of posts on the repair of scratches on stainless original guns. I suspect the only cure would be to have the finish bead blasted. This is way above my pay grade. Is this something that the factory would do on a 30 year old gun?

I have read in other forums that there is a scotch brite pad you can use that is close to the original finish. I don't know which one or how well it works. Maybe someone here has tried it.

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

The factory can return it to original brushed, or bead blast it matte if you prefer; brushed was what it left the factory with.

You can approximate factory brushed using gray Scotch or Norton scouring pads.

Thank You. I'll try the Scotch / Norton pads before sending it to S&W.

You will have to experiment with the abrasive pad to find out how much pressure and how many strokes to duplicate the original. One thing I have noticed on my SS guns is a slight curve in the lines or grains from the original finish. it might help to setup a long arm that pivots on the opposite end of the abrasive pad, kind of a trial and error approach. With care you should be able to duplicate the original, although this method is quite involved. Good luck in whatever you decide!

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MCRGO member

Use a 3M metal finishing pad first.It cuts a deep uniform brush into the stainless.then soften with either Scotchbrite,steel wool ,or Flitz cream.I've polished and returned to brush finish on several K frames in the past without anyone ever noticing the brush was not original finish.

Thanks to all that responded - all really helpful. I'll give it a try.

Study an unaltered original gun first. There's a definite pattern, direction, and grain to the way S&W buffed them. The frame, cylinder, and barrel were all done in a certain way.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

How about some before and after pics??