Scotch Brite and stainless

[schutz5]

Thanks for this thread S&W fan!
I got no traction on a similar question moons ago.
This thread delivers!
I want to clean up a decent condition 66-1 but the goal is to keep the original
factory type of finish.
Whatever S&W did back then is lovely to my eyes!!

 

[pinoakflats]

I appreciate finding threads like this on this forum. Thanks for all that weighed in, very informative and helpful.

 

[Laketime]

One thing to note is that not every polisher brushing a stainless revolver at the factory followed the same direction of the brush pattern. I've owned several new stainless revolvers and have seen different directions of brush strokes. There is no one right pattern to follow

 

[Marksman]

An option you might want to consider is soda blasting, this is done using baking soda as the blasting media. It is very gentle and produces an attractive finish, our local shop uses Coke cans as advertizement and an example of the finish. They mask off part of the can and soda blast, the resulting finish looks just like the unprinted part of the can. When doing any kind of blasting, clean media is imperative new if possible. Any media that has been used to finish rusty parts or carbon steel will embed particles that will rust.

 

[Dave Baird]

Is it possible to just touch-up small shiny spots from light holster wear on a stainless 4046? Or does the entire pistol need to be pretty much refinished? Is it possible to do an "okay" job on spots? Thank you!

 

[JohnHL]

Is it possible to just touch-up small shiny spots from light holster wear on a stainless 4046? Or does the entire pistol need to be pretty much refinished? Is it possible to do an "okay" job on spots? Thank you!

Yes, scotchbrite will do an "okay" job on spots, but will NOT be invisible.

John

 

[Dave Baird]

Thank you, John. My Brinks is really not too bad and doesn't need a full refinish job, especially by own hand!!! Haha. I may try a spot or two, thank you!
Dave

 

[Beemer-mark]

I hate SS guns because they always show every little scratch, worse than bluing IMHO. Years ago i had has some SS 1911 pistols painted by my gunsmith and I liked them very much. Then I picked up a SS 625 in 45 Colt. He suggested bead blasting because he would do it cheap (like $50 over 10 years ago). I don't know how he did it but it had that nice "frosty" look. Shot the heck out it and carried it a lot. Finally sold it on this forum but the finish never showed any signs of wear.