3M gray pads for cleaning Stainless guns

[Marshal Tom]

Hi, I have had and used a 3m gray pad for many years to clean stubborn stains off of the face of the cylinder etc. Mine is so old that I need a new one. There used to be a chart of those pads but I can't find it any longer. If someone has a better solution I am all ears!

 

[flgolfer29]

I can't help with the chart, but Advance Auto has some. Are these the same as the others you have used? If do, how well did they remove the carbon stains?

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...VBqgtyQB_g3-cijuANhoC1xoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[WR Moore]

IIRC, gray is the ultra fine, red is the coarsest commonly available, green somewhere in the middle. I think.

If you want to remove the carbon from the cylinder face, There's a slew of various magic carbon/lead off cloths available. I've been thrilled with the Birchwood-Casey version. ONLY FOR USE ON STAINLESS! Maybe, just maybe, on hard chrome.

 

[zonker5]

3M Scotch Brite Nylon Pads:

7445 - White pad, called Light Duty Cleansing - (1000) 1200-1500 grit
7448 - Light Grey, called Ultra Fine Hand - (600-800) 800 grit.
6448 - Green (?), called Light Duty Hand Pad - (600) 600 grit
7447 - Maroon pad, called General Purpose Hand - (320-400) 320 grit
6444 - Brown pad, called Extra Duty Hand - (280-320) 240 grit
7446 - Dark Grey pad, called Blending Pad (180-220) 150 grit
7440 - Tan pad, called Heavy Duty Hand Pad - (120-150) 60(?)

 

[Marshal Tom]

Thanks guys. Yes that is the right one and yes it does a very good job at removing carbon stains. Years ago I purchased a stainless blank cylinder with the hole through the middle. You remove your cylinder and poke the ejector rod through the middle of the pad and into the hole in the blank cylinder. Give it a couple of spins with the pad in-between and viola! I am aware of the other cleaning clothes as well.

 

[Racer X]

If you have a lightly scuffed stainless S&W or Ruger, the grey can be used to carefully blend in the shiny spots to a more even matte finish very very close to factory, if you go with the "grain" of the steel. Think of wear spots on the muzzle or trigger guard from a holster.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

3M 07445 are the white pads and equivalent to 0000 steel wool. (about 2000 grit)
3M 07448 are the grey pass and equivalent to 00 steel wool. (about 800 grit)
3M 07447 are the maroon pads and similar to 320 grit sandpaper.

If you just want the white you can buy then on Amazon. I bought a kit with all 3 which has 5 of each in 6" X 9" pads.

BTW, they work very well on scuffed and scratched stainless sinks too lol.

 

[TAROMAN]

Slide on this old 4053 was all scuffed up.
A few minutes gentle buffing with the dark gray pad worked wonders:

 

[chief38]

I have always used the gray pads and have always had great results.

 

[Dave Baird]

Would using pads on this slide remove the markings, or are they engraved? Anyone know? TY!!! Dave

 

[Walter Rego]

I have used the two variations of the gray pads followed up with the white as the finishing pad to remove some scratches and blend with the original polishing lines. Study the original finish carefully before you start to see how the factory oriented the "grain" of the finish. And it probably isn't the same direction for all areas of the gun. Follow the same pattern.

One tip is with the gray pads, use a very light touch. And add a few drops of oil. Rub a little and then use a clean cotton cloth to wipe off the oily area and observe your progress.

You will soon get a feel for just how much pressure is necessary and in most cases it is very little with the gray pads. The oil is helpful just like wet sanding with conventional sandpaper.

 

[Rule3]

 

[Rule3]

 

[3S16]

When you guys are talking about using the "Gray Pad" on stainless, are you talking about (7448) "Light Gray", (6448) "Dark Gray", or (7446) "Gray"?

 

[PHS327]

When you guys are talking about using the "Gray Pad" on stainless, are you talking about (7448) "Light Gray", (6448) "Dark Gray", or (7446) "Gray"?

Better to go with the number than the shade of gray since that is subjective. I used 7448 on my 60-3 Lady Smith which had a matt or satin finish. Some call it bead blasted. Some refer to the 7448 pad as light gray but I would call it dark gray.

In any event, the gun had some minor spots on the cylinder that looked like rust starting to form. A few very light strokes with the "grain" with the 7448 pad and they were gone. Took about 15 seconds and now the gun looks perfect.

 

[Lonestar57]

When you guys are talking about using the "Gray Pad" on stainless, are you talking about (7448) "Light Gray", (6448) "Dark Gray", or (7446) "Gray"?

They should be talking about the Dark Gray pads when using it on stainless steel.

 

[Rule3]

"50 shades of Grey"


Go with the grit equivalent, like steel wool or wet dry paper. Try the finest grit first.


For carbon stains on the front of cylinder, use Flitz and a soft cloth, If really built on Flitz(or mag wheel polish) and a bronze cleaning brush.

 

[JohnHL]

Would using pads on this slide remove the markings, or are they engraved? Anyone know? TY!!! Dave

Dave, those marking are only on the surface and can be rubbed off.

John

 

[PHS327]

They should be talking about the Dark Gray pads when using it on stainless steel.

See post #12. At least 4 of those look like dark gray to me.

 

[TAROMAN]

I get mine at NAPA "prep pads"