Need a little help with Nickel 3" Model 36-1

[cmansguns]

OK, so I have these two Model 36-1, both 3" HB, one blue (1976) and one Nickel (1982). Both nice guns but the nickel has previous owner's red "paint" on the serrated ramp front sight.

I have many times used acetone on a small swab to remove white, or orange paint from gun sights before (colored paint just doesn't help me with target acquisition...I prefer factory sights & finish).

With this gun I don't know if it is truly paint, or nail polish, or ?? AND the big question: How to remove without compromising the original nickel finish on the ramp? Will acetone harm the finish? It does not harm blued surfaces at all.

The top strap and ramp appear to NOT be shiny nickel but more "satin" appearance, same as my Model 27-2 nickel.

What would be a good non-harming remover for the red whatever it is on my nickel Model 36-1?

Thanks for any helpful replies.

 

[bamabiker]

I would try acetone as I don't believe it will hurt the gun. You can use a Q tip and just wet the orange stuff.

 

[OttoLoader]

I would not use acetone because it has acetic acid as a product. Acetone reacts with copper. In ambient light the nichol surface could tint blue.

Instead try isproponol alcohol , apply only on the paint on the sight.

 

[Rpg]

I don’t believe Smith used a copper base for their nickel finishes.

I’ve used acetone to remove fingernail polish from sights on my nickel Smiths without a problem.

 

[cmansguns]

Update - Acetone did the trick!

As noted I had been worried about acetone on nickel finish to remove front ramp sight paint from my Model 36-1.

Thanks for the advice, as acetone worked great and did the job.

She's now back to original so I'm happy.