I had heard about this before, but had never used it until today. I used a gray Scotch Brite pad to clean up an old S&W Model 65 that I had recently bought. The gun was in good shape but had a lot of scuffs and fine marks from years of holstering and handling. I was amazed at the results. The gun looks like brand new with a factory satin finish. The pads are very easy to use and not nearly as much effort as polishing compounds. Just buff in the direction of the grain of the steel, generally parallel to the length of the barrel on all surfaces.

It has been around for years BUT I have never tried it.

They work well, I cleaned up this 629 carry comp with them.

Thanks for the tip!!!

Scotch Brite - those are the green pads right? Yes, thanks for the tip.

You want the grey, the green is too course.

Here is a link to the colors and applications for each:

http://academic.evergreen.edu/projec...ric/finish.pdf

Thanks, will do.

Be sure to get all the abrasive grit out of areas, believe it or not, those pads put off some minute particles...part of the abrasive process.

I always rinsed in Mineral Spirits after wards, and had better luck with the red pads.

They are sevral differrent grit grades avail too much will screw up the finish and leave lines in it , just about got one polished bk out somebody over scotchbrited ( a little goes a long way ) 41steve

It's difficult to duplicate a factory job outside of the factory. The grey pads, used with a fine, careful touch will improve a really ugly SS gun. It helps if you have a new/near new SS revolver sitting there so you can see the direction in which the factory worked the finish in various locations. You can overdo the grey pad, making the finish too bright to approximate factory new.

The brushed finish is nice, but I prefer the matte beadblast finish, but be beware of the glass bead size, the beads used in road markings are much larger than others, until they break down, it leaves a more pockmarked look.

However not everyone has access to a bead/sand blasting cabinet.

Thanks Walter Rego for the link.

I use Happich SimiChrome a premium German polish found at finer motorcycle store [well where I get mine] on my SS revolvers..others use Mother's Mag polish.

I use green Scotch Brite for burned pots..and polishing shotgun chambers in my Cowboy Action guns.

Wouldn't mind watching someone else put a SB pad to their revolvers but visions of cleaning up a scorched pot keep me from doing so.

Will keep WR's link handy..you never know.

Keep them ALL handy. They all have their place.

Scotch-brite pads have been used for years in the in the custom sheet metal industry. Most restaurant equipment is finished with a red pad which is similar to 120 grit which is an industry #4 finish. That should equate with a typical gun finish but will show a grain. If you8 want more shine, you will probably have to get into compounds.

I have been using them with stainless guns for years. They work really well. I guess the secret's out now!

The trick to the Scotchbrite pads if you wish to duplicate the factory finish is a light touch and a little bit of gun oil as a lubricant. Wipe clean with a piece of soft cloth often and observe your work. If just touching up minor mars and scratches you can usually see the direction of the grain from the factory finish and just wipe in the same direction. It's not hard to do and feather the area into the original finish. Start with a finer grade and a very light touch and see how it looks before going to anything coarser. And I really think the use of oil helps.

This is a great thread; would love to see some before & after's with the experienced crowd.

Where do you find the pads? My Supermarket carries green, and I don't think I've ever seen the others. TIA

Same here. Went to Ace Hardware and all they had were green.
Also does that Mothers polish make a high gloss finish ? I don't care for the bright nickel/bumper chrome look .

I learned the Scotch brite trick here a couple of years ago. I also use the gray or sometimes maroon.

I get mine at the local O'Reilly's or Auto Zone.

I've been to Ace Hardware,Advance Auto,and Auto Zone. No such thing as a grey Scotchbrite pad .
Can someone post a pic of what these look like new in the pack ?

I picked up several grades or grit equivalents at one of our local welding supply stores. I would suggest storing the different colored pads in zip-loc bags with the grit size written on the bag. (that's for my own benefit - to help me keep the grit sizes in mind!)

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Isaiah 55:8-9
Phil. 4:13

I have picked them up at a local body shop. Sometimes they even give them free if they have been used and I just wash them out in soap and water. They don't charge much even if they are new.

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44 Garrett Defender Ammo 4 me.

Bought mine at Finish Line which is an automotive paint supplier. I would think that any automotive paint store would have them.

I'll see if we have an auto paint store in town .If not maybe someone here will help out a fellow Smith lover and send me one . :-)

Here is one place to buy them:

McMaster-Carr

when "new" they are very aggressive, but when worn and after a while you can really use ANY of them , just learn ( get the feel, touch) of how hard to rub, AND more important, the direction...different areas of each gun, this direction changes....do NOT always go front to back, as they say with the grain?? ( there is NO grain, that is the polishing direction you "see"...........)
as pictured and noted above, there are many polishes as well as 'tricks" ( like the oil Walt uses)) to help subdue the make the finish "look" different....been polishing guns for refinishing, and re blue prep as well as stainless finishes, since the late 1960's....there is a "feel" and techniques......same goes for bead, sandblasting...the 'media' (glass or sand) as well as the pressures used..........

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dan
NRA Benefactor,PMA

You can buy the different Scotch Bright pads at woodworker supply stores...

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NRA Life Member

Thank you. That is very helpful.