Scratch :(

[Glenn R. McMannly]

Like a fool I managed to gouge the finish of my Walther P99AS:

While changing the rear sight there is a plunger that must be depressed and it’s under a lot of tension. Not thinking, I used a steel punch for the job and should have been using brass.

Has anyone else ever done something like this on accident? It’s a gut wrenching feeling. Any tips on how to possibly repair this?

Thanks for the help all.

 

[A10]

I put a nice ding in my old Commander changing out the rear sight. The leather I used as a soft jaw in the vise was too thin! Oh well....

 

[chief38]

Yea, like they say, the "first one" hurts the most. Shoot a gun long enough and scratches, nicks and dings are inevitable. Don't beat yourself up - it's a working gun and not a million dollar piece of artwork.

Not too many permanent options to repair other than to refinish the entire slide. You can try dulling the scratch with some matching matt or satin finish enamel paint but I doubt it will hold up in the long run. Still, a small bottle of Testor's model pain is under $3 and can always be removed if it looks worse. Apply with a wooden toothpick (not a brush) after cleaning all oil off with Alcohol. Even if you have to retouch it every once in a while, it could improve the look. Not much to lose in trying.

If you do nothing at all, the metal might dull over time by itself just from dirt, powder residue, wear, etc. (wishful thinking)?

 

[Well Armed]

That's nothing IMHO. Yes, I've gotten scratches and imperfections on all my carry guns. It's a polymer tool. It's not a family heirloom or work of art.

 

[ACORN]

I don’t know if the slide is stainless or not but if it isn’t try Oxpho.
It’s the best cold blue I’ve used.

 

[kev74]

Black sharpie marker.

Short of a new slide or a refinish, that scratch is not going away.

 

[AJ]

I don’t know if the slide is stainless or not but if it isn’t try Oxpho.
It’s the best cold blue I’ve used.

+1 for Oxopho. Been using it for over 40 years to hide indiscretions.

 

[03hemi]

Scratches, wear and drag marks are inevitable no matter the holster on a carry piece, so just go with it?
My solution to the wear is to enhance it and make it part of the finish, I stole the idea from Nighthawk though.
Out of my collection, I only carry one of two guns mainly for this reason and familiarity.
The inspirational Nighthawk and my "Carry Finish" on my Colt 45acp LW Enhanced Officers that only gets better with every draw out of the holster.

 

[pharmer]

....... Don't beat yourself up - it's a working gun and not a million dollar piece of artwork......

That says it all. Hanging around here long enough and we start to think "100 year old revolvers should all be in 99.5% condition." Then we extend that thinking to all guns. Guess what? I don't give a hoot if'n the "next" owner of my guns goes: "I'm glad I handle my guns with white cotton gloves, unlike the previous idiot who scratched 'em up actually using them." Joe

 

[KalamazooKid]

I thinks it’s safe to say that anyone who’s owned a few guns for more than a few years has done it!

I added the dreaded “idiot scratch” on my first 1911 - classic!

Just hopefully not on that pristine 100 yr old revolver!

 

[A10]

Scratches, wear and drag marks are inevitable no matter the holster on a carry piece, so just go with it?
My solution to the wear is to enhance it and make it part of the finish, I stole the idea from Nighthawk though.
Out of my collection, I only carry one of two guns mainly for this reason and familiarity.
The inspirational Nighthawk and my "Carry Finish" on my Colt 45acp LW Enhanced Officers that only gets better with every draw out of the holster.

Nice little Colt

 

[max503]

There's a Japanese thing called Wabi Sabi. It's a belief that perfection is impossible. Kind of interesting. If you ever get bored look it up.

edit: Changed imperfection to perfection.

 

[brian686]

At least your gun still works. While cleaning a Glock, I dropped the slide on a cement floor and cracked it. The crack went through the end of one of the rails and needed to be replaced at my expense.

 

[TJm15.38]

That's really nothing. Cosmetic minor scratch at best. I've done stuff like this also because I didn't use the right tool. I'm not sure what the finish is on the P99AS, but it will be tough to duplicate with off the shelf cold blue solutions. I say shoot and enjoy.

 

[Babysitr]

What ACORN said above..I use Vans, looks like water and works great on steel..dont repair but colors in

 

[AJ]

That says it all. Hanging around here long enough and we start to think "100 year old revolvers should all be in 99.5% condition." Then we extend that thinking to all guns. Guess what? I don't give a hoot if'n the "next" owner of my guns goes: "I'm glad I handle my guns with white cotton gloves, unlike the previous idiot who scratched 'em up actually using them." Joe

They are tools and made to use. Some think of them as works of art and in their eyes I guess they are.

 

[2152hq]

You might try a Cold Blue like Oxpho Blue.
The slide should be carbon steel if the finish applied is Walther's
'Tenifer' finish. One of the nitro carburizing processes Trade Names.
They advertised that they used this on the slides. It's only used on carbon steels.

If that doesn't do much,,I would mask off the entire slide except for the small 'square' area that the scratch is on.
Then try and find a spray paint that matches the slide color.
There are several metalic colors with matte and hammered type final look to them.
Perhaps one of those would cover that small area and not leave it noticable as a fix-it.
Might wear off easily too, but worth the try if it really bugs you.

I'm no fan of either cold blues or spray paint on guns at all,,but it would seem they are about the only choices other than a small Hello Kitty sticker perhaps.

 

[chief38]

Guys, as far as I can tell the color of the slide is gray-at least that’s what it appears to be for me. I think the bluing would make it more obvious. Mixing up just the right color of Testor’s paint will match better and more than likely be more durable. The key is to apply with a sharp wooden toothpick and wipe off any excess.

 

[LVSteve]

Been there, done that, with a Steyr M9 I own.

 

[RobertJ.]

It's a polymer tool. It's not a family heirloom or work of art.

This is the best thing I've read so far.

And, we've all done it, at one time or another, and on much nicer firearms.

It's not like you scratched a pristine Model 27 or Colt Python. Now, that I could see fretting about!

 

[PaulDoc]

Funny you should mention python, nicked this 65' pulling from the safe. It's a shooter but it still kills me. Just cought the front end of the lug.

 

[jjrr]

No help with this but when you eat Chinese even if you don’t use the chopsticks take them with you esp if they are bamboo, they make great tools for pushing poking and cleaning on guns and they are tough and don’t scratch and can easily be shaped for any job with your pocketknife. I keep a good supply on my bench..

 

[Well Armed]

Guys, as far as I can tell the color of the slide is gray-at least that’s what it appears to be for me. I think the bluing would make it more obvious. Mixing up just the right color of Testor’s paint will match better and more than likely be more durable. The key is to apply with a sharp wooden toothpick and wipe off any excess.

FYI: The P99 slide is stainless steel and the finish is a black Melonite/Nitride.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Has anyone else ever done something like this on accident?

Now you've gone and done it.

 

[Echo40]

It happens, and it always hurts, but ultimately you'll get over it.

If it's any consolation, I've done worse... I failed to monitor the humidity in my gun safe during a particularly humid Summer, which resulted in rust pitting on the barrel hood of my beloved H&K USP45 Elite.

That's a rare, $1000+ match-grade target pistol.

I doubt anyone has done worse. It taught me a valuable lesson though, now I have a dehumidifier inside the safe.

 

[Well Armed]

It happens, and it always hurts, but ultimately you'll get over it.

If it's any consolation, I've done worse... I failed to monitor the humidity in my gun safe during a particularly humid Summer, which resulted in rust pitting on the barrel hood of my beloved H&K USP45 Elite.

That's a rare, $1000+ match-grade target pistol.

I doubt anyone has done worse. It taught me a valuable lesson though, now I have a dehumidifier inside the safe.

That's not worse. Take some sandpaper to it, and it will look as good as new like it never happened. It's stainless, no big deal.

 

[handejector]

Has anyone else ever done something like this on accident?

I can neither confirm nor deny that statement.

 

[alwslate]

Your "scratch" looks more like a pencil mark than a scratch. I say ignore it.

 

[AlHunt]

I never quite understand the inevitable "Hey, it's only a doorstop, why worry? It's not like it's my (insert commenter's cool gun)". And it's not a scar from your gunfight at the OK Corral. It was a dumb mistake and there it is, glaring at you every time you pick it up. Like an idiot scratch on a 1911 except without all the sympathy.

So ... I'd go to a craft store and look through the markers. They come on an array of types and colors and I think you could find something to hide it.

Or ... and I kind of like this one ... if it is indeed stainless as suggested in post #23, strip the finish off completely and pretend you wanted it that way to begin with!

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I hunted for over 30 years for deer with dogs.......ME....My A5 and my Mdl 12 all have scratches and dings from the briars and thickets......I don't care.....Iffen I was 30 years younger. I'd do it all over again.
In reference to a post above.......I use and enjoy my stuff. I CARE NOT what a future owner might think.