Enhancing the matte chrome finish on this surplus gun? NEW INFO AGAIN!

[Dave Baird]

Hello everybody. I was reading another thread on using Mr. Clean pads and it got me thinking about finding something that may enhance the rough condition on my police surplus Jericho. You may have to zoom-in to see what I'm talking about because at a distance it looks fairly nice. You know how it is when we buy something used and just want to make it look good if possible. If you have an idea, please let me know. I don't want to polish it to a shine, but would like to cover-up the majority of the scuffs. Thank you! Dave

 

[mojave30cal]

It has character!

 

[rwsmith]

How about.....

How about Mag polish?

 

[s&wchad]

It appears to be satin nickel and can I see some freckling that I assume are corrosion. I wouldn't use Fitz or Mothers. I'd try 0000 bronze wool and oil with light pressure.

 

[Dave Baird]

Thanks fellas and yep, Chad, it's satin. I should have had that in the title, thank you! It is worn. I realize the nicks and freckling aren't going away, but it just looks tired and dull. I could try the bronze once I find some. I'm guessing 600 grit and oil may be too abrasive? This is the first finish like this I have owned to be honest. Maybe it is what it is, just pondering.

 

[2152hq]

I think the finish on those is Hard Chrome over a particle blast surface.

Hard Chrome is very thin,, .0015 or so. I wouldn't do much or any polishing.
The bright spots are likely Burnished areas from contact with other 'things' in the environment they have been used in.

The rails of the pistol are probably burnished nice and bright as well from the slide running back and forth on the frame. Same thing happens and shines the hard chrome up that is on top of the particle blasted steel surface.

Maybe talk/email one of the gun finishers that specializes in Hard Chrome finish and see what they say about spiffing up the looks w/o making things worse.
Maybe there's an easy way to blend the burnished bright spots into the orig matted finish of the frame and slide.

Mahovsky's Metalife comes to mind.

 

[Dave Baird]

Thank you for all of the important information, sir! You are correct about the shiny spots being rubbed-off or rubbed smooth satin finish. I'm not sure if I decide to lightly use the Bronze wool, if it may help the finish look all satin again, or close to it. If so, that would be great!
I wasn't aware Metalife was still in business!!! Wow!! I had my GP100 duty gun done with Metalife back in the 80's and it was terrific!

 

[Hair Trigger]

I also think that is a hard chrome finish, rather than nickel. Hard chrome is a very durable finish and is usually satin or matte, where nickel finishes tend to be polished.

 

[Dave Baird]

Well thank you too. If it is hard chrome, will the bronze wool and oil treatment still be okay to use?

 

[kraynky]

I would start off under a grip panel first with whatever method you decide on. I doubt you'll ever bring back any finish that's been rubbed off. I'm thinking it's just the nature of that particular finish.

Still a great looking pistol though!

 

[Dave Baird]

Good idea, thank you!!!

 

[dfariswheel]

Due to the thinness of hard Chrome, most any attempts to resurface it will usually damage it.
The marks appear to be burnishing of the very hard chrome, which is harder then a Swiss file, and I don't know of anything that can be done without damage to the finish.

Before I'd risk damaging it, I'd give Cogan a call and ask what he might recommend as a refresh technique.
I don't think anyone knows more about hard chrome on guns then he does.

https://apwcogan.com/

Most people say to make sure your phone is fully charged if you get Cogan himself.... He LOVES to talk guns and refinishing.

 

[Dave Baird]

Thank you very much for your concern. I wish we knew exactly what the finish is, chrome, nickel, whatever. Maybe, just because of that, I should hold off doing anything. I'd hate to put more money into it, I'd just like to spruce it up a bit but that may not be prudent. It's like getting a "new" used car with a dull and sloppy finish that we'd hope a good wax and polish would fix it! Haha, maybe and maybe not!

 

[JH1951]

Knowing what finish is on the surface will certainly help with 'reviving' it. Go there first then consider alternatives. With stainless and satin nickel I have had stellar results with media blasting. This, of course, is a recommendation for a 'gentle' application, not one intended to remove lots of metal. Low pressure with a very mild abrasive. Someone with a bit of experience should be able to match things up nicely and have that whole thing looking like new. Of course, if you actually put the gun to work, the finish will eventually look just like it does now..... that's one of the perils of a satin finish. It is an option for you to consider. Opinions on this are sure to vary.

 

[Dave Baird]

Thank you, dferiswheel, Mr. Coogan believes it to be "matte chrome". He's offered to do the work for me, but not sure if I want to sink that money just yet.

May I ask, now that we believe it to matte chrome and not nickel, will the light work with the Bronze wool and oil still be an option?

Thank you, Dave

 

[dfariswheel]

No.....Hard Chrome is very hard, harder then a Swiss file, and something like bronze wool isn't going to do much if anything.

What you've got is burnishing of the chrome caused by rubbing of the surface.
If the magazine is also plated, you'll see burnish marks from the magazine catch and rubbing on the inside of the mag well.
There's just no practical method of fixing that due to the extreme hardness and thinness of the plating.

"Possibly" blasting with low pressure and an extremely mild blast media might help, but you run a high risk of blasting through the thin coating, which ruins it.
I've heard of people blasting satin electroless nickel with baking soda to try to repair black blotches in the coating, but I don't know what effect that might have on hard chrome.

If it were my gun I'd either send it in to Cogan or just use it as-is.
One other option is Mahovsky, who offers the cheapest hard chrome work, but this would probably require a full strip and re-plate. He's been doing hard chrome forever........

Firearm Plating -Mahovsky's Metalife

 

[Dave Baird]

Okay, thank you!

 

[Dave Baird]

Ok, I took a chance and came out on top!! I tried a white 3M pad, then a green 3M pad, then the Bronze wool. There's was very little difference. So, I decided to try a gray 3M pad with some motor oil and it worked very well!! The majority of the dullness/haze and even some light marks were removed leaving an even satin glare, still with all the heavier marks and scuffs, of course. I'm happy! I'd post a pic but in the camera it appears about the same. So thank you all for time you afforded and the suggestions!!! One happy camper!!!