Have you "matted" a bright stainless finish?

[tacotime]

Just wondering if it is possible to "matte" the bright/polished stainless finish on some guns into a matte or satin stainless finish?

Gun is a shooter grade and the shiny finish reflects sunlight pretty noticeably.

Thanks.

 

[shouldazagged]

You can have it bead-blasted to a "brushed" finish. Don't know about cost to have it done, and I don't know about DIY--my only stainless gun is my EDC and it stays in my pocket. The shine doesn't bother me, so I never inquired.

 

[Triggernosis]

Do a search for Grant Cunningham - go to his website to see some neat matting options.

 

[stumper]

Find someone with a bead blaster.

 

[k22fan]

Bead blasting sounds fast but it's only the most economical way to create a dull finish if you own the bead blaster. Sanding with fine grades of Scotch Brite pads is less expensive and produces the brushed finish S&W applied to stainless revolvers for approximately the first three decades of their manufacture. I don't like the bead blasted look nearly as well plus it's harder to clean.

When I get around to it I'm going to do a shooter grade 66 that a previous owner polished bright. It has scratches that scream for Scotch Brite so I'm going to try and recreate its original finish.

The fine grades of Scotch Brite pads are said to be available through auto repainting shops. Ace Hardware has them.

Avoid making circular swirls. There have been threads on refinishing stainless in the S&Wsmithing forum that give other advise. I'd appreciate it if you'd add links to relevant threads you find to this thread.

 

[Alnamvet68]

Average cost is about $80.00 plus shipping from a reputable custom 'smith.

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[Frank46]

Home depot and Lowe's also sell the 3M pads. Usually found in the varnish and stain section. Frank.

 

[hotrod150]

I like a matte finish, whether blue or silver. I own a model 60 & recently sold off another, and thought about doing a matte finish on one of them, but they're both so nice that I couldn't quite bring myself to do it. If I acquire one that's scarfed up a bit, I may do it yet. I have access to a bead-blast cabinet so would probably go that way, as opposed to scotch-briting it.

 

[thundertrap]

If you were closer to ohio id do it for you, I have the equipment and have done several, heres a SA 1911 i just completed.... i think it looks great.

 

[OKFC05]

I had a Model 66 bead blasted while it was already apart being set up for IDPA/SSR duty; only added $20 to setup cost.

 

[S&W Fan]

Here's my 686 no dash I inherited from my father. He had it matte finished somewhere in the late 80s. Has held up very well, I like this look for stainless guns very much.

 

[Printer]

Hey tacotime,
We used to try all sorts of stuff on the stainless guns in the model shop. One thing to keep in mind though is that stainless steel has carbon steel in it. When you alter the finish you inadvertently bring to the surface some carbon steel and it can rust.
Bob St.George

 

[SurfGuitar]

Blued guns I like highly polished, chrome and nickle I won't own, stainless, unless a safe queen or wall hanger has to be matte finished for me, if not the reflection could cost you a match on a bright sunny day.

I have used Scotch Brite pads with great success on both my 686, and a GP-100. As for what Printer brought up about bringing carbon to the surface, and rusting....I'm a firm believer in using teflon based lubricants like Tri-Flow, and Break-Free CLP, spray the gun down and let it sit for a day, then wipe the excess oil off, the teflon penetrates the surface and leaves a protective film, and doesn't add to surface shine.....

 

[oliveview]

I have found great success with the "Scotch" type pads. Anything with the silicon carbide. Don't EVER use steel wool, obviously.

Recently, I re-worked an Inox Beretta. By just using some fine abrasive papers, and then the 3M pads, I was able to give the entire upper a nice, satin brushed look, almost identical to that of a classic S&W stainless revolver. It looks fantastic. I always feel that the satin-brushed look is very "mechanical" by nature. More exciting then dull blasted, but 100x easier to maintain, and shoot, that bright polished stainless.

 

[tacotime]

Good advice, thanks...

 

[33jayman]

I did the Scotchbrite treatment to my Ruger Vaqueros. Here is a picture of one that shows what your can expect from the burgandy colored pad.

Jay

 

[Andy the Aussie]

Before..

After...

 

[hotrod150]

Andy, before and after what? How did you matte that stainless finish?

 

[Andy the Aussie]

Beat blasted by S&W here in Australia.

 

[Infidel_319]

+1 For bead Blasting. I Have A PPC Gun I n My Safe That Was Bead Blasted To Reduce Glare. Worked Good, Looks Great. I'll Be Listing It For Sale Here On The Forum Pretty Soon, Just Been Busy.