I've purchased my first nickle S&W (a Model 15). The finish is in good shape ( no flaking, chips, or pealing) but is covered with "handling scratches". I've used Flitz and Mothers Mag on SS, but have never tried to spiff up nickle. What would you all recommend to clean up a nickle finish. Thank you in advance for your advice

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John

Flitz or a similar minimally abrasive polish, used sparingly and carefully, followed by a good waxing with Renaissance or Johnson Paste Wax will do the job for you.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

^^^^^

What he said.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

Very lightly with Flitz but it will not remove scratches in Nickel. The more you mess with those the worse it can get, leave it alone.

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Still Running Against the Wind

I have had excellent results polishing out scratches with Flitz and Mother's Mag Polish. I polish one spot lightly 3-4 strokes. Wipe, check, do it again, until the scratches are gone. Deep scratches that go through the nickel will not come out. My nickel revolvers look like different guns when I am through. Now, it takes some time, and patience. I may put three hours into a revolver. But, when I am not sure I am doing any good, I stop. I leave it in the safe a few days, then take a look with fresh eyes. It's best to do a little at a time. Let me know how it goes.

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I'm just buying one more.

Which is what I was referring to. Should have been more specific.

I am a Flitz beliver but not only does it work by chemical action it also has a fine abrasive in it. So tread lightly. By hand with a soft cloth only, no Dremel destruction tools!

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Still Running Against the Wind

I would echo the cautions of the other posters. Flitz and Simichrome also contain ammonia, which is hazardous to nickel plating. Use caution and follow the label.

And remember, that black residue on the rag when you're finished....that's some of your plating.

http://www.flitz.com/content/MSDS-Me...Paste_16pt.pdf

http://www.riogrande.com/Content/Sim...MSDS-pdf?***=1

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Another thing about Nickel is the use of good old Hoppes #9. If you read the instructions carefully, yes you can use it, but do not leave it on nickel for an extended time.

Just clean the inside of the barrel and wipe any excess off, If the Nickel plating has a deep scratch any kind of solvent will get in under it and eventually cause you more problems.

Nickel is pretty but I am not a fan. I prefer stainless or chrome,

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Still Running Against the Wind

Nickel finishes will and do develop fine scratches in short order if the gun is fired and handled on a regular basis. Since the Nickel finish is relatively thin, I'd certainly NOT get too aggressive in trying to remove them or you will turn a few minor handling marks into a problem. Just enjoy your Nickeled revolver and don't get yourself nuts over the minor scratches. Guns are meant to be shot and a bunch of very light scratches are a normal occurrence. ONE LIGHT polishing with some Flitz BY HAND is all you should attempt IMHO. After that - it is what it is!

Seems as though every time someone asks for a cleaning recommendation and gets it,there are always those who say no,no,no! I can only assume that they are the ones who have used the recommended product incorrectly and thereby experienced some type of problem. Just use common sense when using most ANY product and you should receive the desired result. Whatever you decide to do,I wish you good luck.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

No - I have not had any problems cleaning Nickel but have seen friends that have. I suppose they figured if a little Flitz or Simi is OK, than more is better - wrong!.

Unless one is going to make a safe queen out of a particular gun it is just not going to remain pristine. ONE light cleaning might improve nickel but I'd not recommend cleaning or Flitzing it on any regular basis.

That's the "common sense" thing I was referring to. Once polished,simply avoid doing the things that put those scratches on there in the first place!
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

Experience is a wonderful thing.....it helps me recognize a mistake when I make it again.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

I have several nickel S&Ws from the 40s and50s. No abrasives!
I just clean, dry buff with a cloth and wax. Your gun, do with it what you will. Good collecting. Best.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Here is my view of a "smart man" vs a "stupid man"...................

We ALL make mistakes. A smart man learns from them and a stupid man repeats them.

Sure we do,but I'm going to give the OP the benefit of the doubt and assume that he is the former.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

Thanks to the OP for asking this question, now I know what to do with a nice 4" nickel 29-2 I bought. I'm hoping the Ren wax prevents it from getting scratched however.
Steve

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Birds like shiny new toys too.