raylan007
Member
The man knows what he is talking about.
Retired Woodworker
RE: Windex, will clean anything well do to potent chemicals and the last thing you want to apply to unfinished wood, AMMONIA.
The Ugly Duckling...
- Thread starter CajunBass
- Start date
Retired Woodworker
RE: Windex, will clean anything well do to potent chemicals and the last thing you want to apply to unfinished wood, AMMONIA.
I'm not sure exactly why.....
I'm not sure exactly why, but the finished gun looks downright DANGEROUS.
I'm not sure exactly why, but the finished gun looks downright DANGEROUS.
Pisgah
Member
Just a couple of minor points --
Flitz is most certainly abrasive, regardless of what the label says -- micro-abrasive, for sure, and quite unlikely to cause finish damage except in cases of extremely over-aggressive polishing. If it were non-abrasive it might work as a cleaner, but not as a polish. Same as toothpaste, which is an abrasive even milder than Flitz.
Original Windex, which is still available, contains ammonia, but the Original Formula is not as widely available today as several other ammonia-free Windex formulas. In fact, when I went shopping for some Original a couple of years ago I had to go to 3 or 4 stores before finding it.
LOVE the revolver!
Flitz is most certainly abrasive, regardless of what the label says -- micro-abrasive, for sure, and quite unlikely to cause finish damage except in cases of extremely over-aggressive polishing. If it were non-abrasive it might work as a cleaner, but not as a polish. Same as toothpaste, which is an abrasive even milder than Flitz.
Original Windex, which is still available, contains ammonia, but the Original Formula is not as widely available today as several other ammonia-free Windex formulas. In fact, when I went shopping for some Original a couple of years ago I had to go to 3 or 4 stores before finding it.
LOVE the revolver!
SAFireman
Member
That model 19 is just begging to be taken out and shot (enjoyed, not euthanized) 
I have had my eyes open for a really early 19 or pre-19 for just that purpose.
I have had my eyes open for a really early 19 or pre-19 for just that purpose.
That one is EXACTLY what I've been looking for. A "finish challenged" shooter. You sure did a nice job of making it look its best!
Rick_A
Member
I've got a couple finish challenged guns that cleaned up quite nicely.
While it's always nicer to put any honest wear on a gun yourself, for the right price there's nothing wrong with a rescue.
While it's always nicer to put any honest wear on a gun yourself, for the right price there's nothing wrong with a rescue.
bananaman
Member
I may have told this story, if so bear with me. I took some new pictures the other day, and wanted to show them off.
Several months ago I almost passed on a Smith & Wesson Model 19 (no dash), four screw. The gun locked up tight, everything mechanical checked out fine, but it was "finish challenged" shall we say.
Scratches, worn lackluster blue, some fine surface rust, and just general "crud" all over it. I thought I might send it off to have it refinished.
But figuring I had nothing to lose, I cleaned it with Gunscrubber, Hoppes, and elbow grease. Then I took Flitz Polish to the metal. I know a lot of people say Flitz can harm the finish, but in this case, as I said, nothing to lose.
I put the polish on by hand, allowed it to dry, then buffed it off by hand with a soft cloth. Then I applied Pledge Furniture polish to it several times also.
I got some pictures the other day out in the sun for the first time.
It doesn't look like new by any means. There are still scratches, there are still places where bare metal shows, but those scratches, and blue edges are softer now, the fine rust and "patina" are gone. What's left of the blue reflects light like a mirror.
Next I want to clean those grips. I don't want to strip the finish unless I have to, so I'm thinking just some warm water and mild soap and see what happens.
This may sound strange, but the grips can be cleaned with Flitz, and waxed. I've done with good results. Bob
I love the way some of us have found that some common household cleaners and waxes work so well. I've read a lot of comments on the forum relating to various gun products (some quite pricey) that they use. I've always looked at what I had stuffed away in a cabinet to see if any would work well. Using a soft toothbrush and mild detergent to clean out checkering lines was a great call. I've done it in the past and it works great. Johnsons paste wax is another good product. It's relatively cheap and you get enough in a can to last almost forever.
I think the results with this gun were great. It wasn't a risk in this case because the alternative was refinishing. If initial efforts failed the gun could still be refinished. Great job, nice gun, definitely worth the effort.
I think the results with this gun were great. It wasn't a risk in this case because the alternative was refinishing. If initial efforts failed the gun could still be refinished. Great job, nice gun, definitely worth the effort.
Florida Guy
Member
They also make Windex without ammonia.
Andrew2105
Member
IMHO Those grips look very good. I wouldn't change them a bit, lots of character.
Great looking Revolver! Nice job. The grips look great the way they are IMO.
Pledge and most of the other spray & dust furniture 'polishes' are simply a bit of naptha, & silicone oil with what ever fragrance added that the label touts.
The silicone oil wipe down leaves the high shine as well as the very slippery feel to surfaces (like on hardwood floors!).
Can't hurt much, but the build up of the silicone with use on unfinished/unprotected wood can make that wood resist a common finish like varnish, laquer, oil or poly in the future.
Pledge and most of the other spray & dust furniture 'polishes' are simply a bit of naptha, & silicone oil with what ever fragrance added that the label touts.
The silicone oil wipe down leaves the high shine as well as the very slippery feel to surfaces (like on hardwood floors!).
Can't hurt much, but the build up of the silicone with use on unfinished/unprotected wood can make that wood resist a common finish like varnish, laquer, oil or poly in the future.
J. R. WEEMS
Member
I may have told this story, if so bear with me. I took some new pictures the other day, and wanted to show them off.
Several months ago I almost passed on a Smith & Wesson Model 19 (no dash), four screw. The gun locked up tight, everything mechanical checked out fine, but it was "finish challenged" shall we say.
Scratches, worn lackluster blue, some fine surface rust, and just general "crud" all over it. I thought I might send it off to have it refinished.
But figuring I had nothing to lose, I cleaned it with Gunscrubber, Hoppes, and elbow grease. Then I took Flitz Polish to the metal. I know a lot of people say Flitz can harm the finish, but in this case, as I said, nothing to lose.
I put the polish on by hand, allowed it to dry, then buffed it off by hand with a soft cloth. Then I applied Pledge Furniture polish to it several times also.
I got some pictures the other day out in the sun for the first time.
It doesn't look like new by any means. There are still scratches, there are still places where bare metal shows, but those scratches, and blue edges are softer now, the fine rust and "patina" are gone. What's left of the blue reflects light like a mirror.
Next I want to clean those grips. I don't want to strip the finish unless I have to, so I'm thinking just some warm water and mild soap and see what happens.
Bass- for what free advice is worth-- I would suggest an over night soak in this stuff, then a gentle scrub with a SOFT toothbrush-- a good wipe down and soak again, wipe off and let them be. Those stocks look for all the world like Rosewood to me-
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