Can "worn" nickel plating be restored?

[Mr. Vito]

My favorite handgun, a S&W Model 19, 4 inch barrel, nickel plated is showing signs of wear. The nickel finish has some "worn" spots that look sort of like fingerprint smudges. I am wondering if this can be repaired, and what is involved to do so. Looking for advice from anyone who has addressed this issue themselves.

 

[murphydog]

You can try 'lightly' polishing the worn areas, but you will take off more of the nickel plating in doing so. If the wear is deep enough, your only option may be to have the entire gun redone.

 

[stansdds]

Unlike bluing, there is no "touch up" for plated finishes. You can try polishing with Flitz or Semi-chrome paste, then apply wax (pure Carnuba, paste floor wax, or Renaissance Wax). Beyond that, having it stripped and refinished would be the only other option and that's an expensive option.

 

[rockquarry]

As long as there are no "breaks" in the nickel plating (such as flaking), the nickel finish will remain intact for a very long time, despite the slight cosmetic deterioration. I wouldn't mess with a polish or wax. An occasional wipedown with a lightly oiled soft cloth will suffice.

 

[Hair Trigger]

My favorite handgun, a S&W Model 19, 4 inch barrel, nickel plated is showing signs of wear. The nickel finish has some "worn" spots that look sort of like fingerprint smudges. I am wondering if this can be repaired, and what is involved to do so. Looking for advice from anyone who has addressed this issue themselves.

If they look like fingerprint smudges, that may be all that they are. Nickel will oxidize over time and it comes out as a dull spot that won't rub off with your finger. Use some Flitz and a soft cloth like an old diaper or microfiber cloth (make sure they are absolutely clean) and start working on the spots. It took me over three hours to remove an imbedded fingerprint on the yoke of a nickel M29-2 and the whole gun was in miserable shape. An afternoon of careful polishing and a coat of Renaissance Wax had it looking brand new. Nickel is tough, it usually fails only if chipped or deeply scratched.

 

[Mr. Vito]

"Nickel will oxidize over time and it comes out as a dull spot that won't rub off with your finger". That's exactly what it looks like. I'll find the paste and give that a try.

 

[Hair Trigger]

"Nickel will oxidize over time and it comes out as a dull spot that won't rub off with your finger". That's exactly what it looks like. I'll find the paste and give that a try.

Take your time; it is better to put a small amount, rub it a bit and then wipe off to see what you're accomplishing. Keep repeating, some areas will need more work than others and no point keeping on with an area that didn't need a lot of work. Remove the stocks to keep from messing them up, and I removed the thumb latch to make it easier working around that spot.