I have a couple of model 66s that have some light handling wear. Is there a way to clean up the finish? I don't know what something like Flitz would do if rubbed gently. I sure don't want to damage the original stainless look or end up with a bright gun that doesn't look original. Any suggestions or do I live with what I have?
How to "clean up" stainless finish???
- Thread starter jonh1373
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geddylee10002000
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I just used "search" on the forum. Hope this helps.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/390995-polishing-stainless-steel.html
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/390995-polishing-stainless-steel.html
I will do so, looking for more than how to polish, trying to find out how it will look compared to factory. I will do my search in hopes of finding both.
Thanks.
kilo charlie
Member
MOTHERS Mag & Aluminum Polish, did a great job on my 66-2 snub.
I will start off logically assuming your 66's have original finishes which would be brushed stainless. If you rub Flitz onto the finish of your 66's you will change their appearance assuming they are original finish. You can "touch up" the finish on a brushed finish stainless steel with Scotch Brite pads.
There are basically three types of finish for stainless steel:
1. Brushed. This is most likely the original finish on your model 66's. It's a semi-dull finish in which you can see fine linear polishing marks in the surface. This finish can be duplicated or touched up with Scotch Brite pads and a gentle hand. Scotch Brite pads come in different levels of coarseness.
Light Grey, called Ultra Fine Hand - (600-800) 800 grit.
Green, called Light Duty Hand Pad - (600) 600 grit
Maroon pad, called General Purpose Hand - (320-400)
Work in a small area with tiny (1" square) piece of pad and stroke in one direction only following the linear polishing direction from the factory. Avoid any surfaces but the brushed stainless surfaces. The green pad can be used for all applications varying the pressure dependent upon the degree of the scratch. Look at You Tube for examples of how to do it or further research the S&W Forum.
2. Polished. Bright and shiny enough it looks like a nickel finish gun. You can achieve this with a polishing compound like Flitz (there's others), soft rags, elbow grease, and a lot of time. Or you can use power tools (see post by TANKLVMC). I'm not much for taking power tools to S&W revolvers.
3. Bead blasted. A dull uniform appearance. Can be touched up, supposedly, with a deft hand, hammer, and sand paper. Or you can take it to someone with a bead blaster or invest in a bead blaster. I'm not for taking hammers to S&W revolvers.
Good luck,
John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training
There are basically three types of finish for stainless steel:
1. Brushed. This is most likely the original finish on your model 66's. It's a semi-dull finish in which you can see fine linear polishing marks in the surface. This finish can be duplicated or touched up with Scotch Brite pads and a gentle hand. Scotch Brite pads come in different levels of coarseness.
Light Grey, called Ultra Fine Hand - (600-800) 800 grit.
Green, called Light Duty Hand Pad - (600) 600 grit
Maroon pad, called General Purpose Hand - (320-400)
Work in a small area with tiny (1" square) piece of pad and stroke in one direction only following the linear polishing direction from the factory. Avoid any surfaces but the brushed stainless surfaces. The green pad can be used for all applications varying the pressure dependent upon the degree of the scratch. Look at You Tube for examples of how to do it or further research the S&W Forum.
2. Polished. Bright and shiny enough it looks like a nickel finish gun. You can achieve this with a polishing compound like Flitz (there's others), soft rags, elbow grease, and a lot of time. Or you can use power tools (see post by TANKLVMC). I'm not much for taking power tools to S&W revolvers.
3. Bead blasted. A dull uniform appearance. Can be touched up, supposedly, with a deft hand, hammer, and sand paper. Or you can take it to someone with a bead blaster or invest in a bead blaster. I'm not for taking hammers to S&W revolvers.
Good luck,
John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training
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geddylee10002000
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This info is spot on. Thanks John
legelegel
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Walter Rego
Member
I touched up the finish of my Model 65 using just the light gray color Scotch Brite pad. I might add that a very light amount of pressure seems to give the best results, and I used a few drops of Break Free as a lube which really seemed to help. Give the area just a few light strokes, wipe clean with a cloth and have a look at the progress and if the "grain" is matching. Repeat until you are satisfied. This of course is the best match for the factory finish of most S&W stainless revolvers if there are minor scuffs or mars to be removed and is totally different from polishing to a bright finish.
This suggestion for touching up bead-blasted SS surfaces has always intrigued me, especially for small touch-ups of holster wear, but I've not been able to find a post here or elsewhere that details precisely how to do it?
Can anyone help me with that? Any pix of results?
