I was looking at the posted pics of Sigmas and saw quite a few that had polished slides.Can anyone explain how this procedure is done and the time and labor involved.If there is a good write up on this I think it should become a sticky.
It's like spitshining shoes. Takes more time than technique.
Get some Mother's polish and a rag, and rub until you have a mirror.
Personally, I prefer matte finish for ease of maintenance, but some people love the bling. When it gets fingerprints or a smudge, you can polish it out again.
Take 1000,1500,and 2000 grit sandpaper and some water and wetsand the slide until its mirror shiny, starting with 1000 grit and working your way up. By the time the slide is as shiny as you wish,polish out the sanding marks with metal polish like Mothers or the brands mentioned above, and youre done.Its a long process, expect to spend hours of elbow grease before youll get the shine you seek.
I have done both mine and my wifes. Start with 600 grit then move to 8oo, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, 2500, finish with mother and you can shave with it. Takes about 4 hours. The tip is get all the "scratches" from the 600 out with the 800 before you move on.