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California handguns Discuss your favorite California handgun technical and related questions here. |
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Mirror Finish Polishing
Picking up a Ruger SP101 and want to do a mirror finish polish job. What are the steps? I previoulsy stripped an old blued 22 in vinegar and hit it a buffing dremel and some Mothers... Same process? Or should i go Flitz?
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#2
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I've seen it done on brushed stainless revolvers with only Mothers and elbow grease, but it takes a while. It may also leave thinly cut engravings very shallow or gone (saw this happen on a SW 500 mag a guy did).
Now realize that once you go to all that work to get that beautiful polish, every time you touch it (seems like anyway) you'll leave some kind of little scratch on it that you'll need to go back and fix if you want it to stay perfect looking. Too much trouble IMO, but it sure does look nice. Post it up here when you get it done.
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Last edited by onelonehorseman; 03-07-2018 at 11:46 AM.. |
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i do disassemble it completely so i can work on the trigger, hammer, cylinder wheel, all individually - im also retired, so i can take my time - im not confident enough to try using a tool, nor do i think it is really necessary your SP101 breaks down in a very similar fashion to the GP100 - personally i use Mother's Mag & Polish but i've heard very good things about Flitz too - i think you'll get the same results with either, it'll come down to the time and effort that you're willing to give it this is my GP100 - i've had it for a few years and i still take it out and polish it about once a month, and, no, it won't scratch if you touch it, might leave some fingerprints that wipe right off - i think it has come out pretty good given the time i've put into it
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Last edited by FalconLair; 03-07-2018 at 1:44 PM.. |
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I doubt you ever shoot it. At night it must shine brightly with any available light at hand. Guns like run-of-the-mill GP100 and SP101 (like yours and mine)are tools and should be used as such. If you are thinking that the polishing increases the value of the pistol, just think of the diminished value that refinishing a blued gun has. I wish I had the money you Kalifornians have. Jim |
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JAW DROPPING!!! WOW ... cant wait to do this!! ❤️❤️❤️ |
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yeah, i don't think you're gonna beat that kind of work
i actually take my GP100 out to the range and shoot it, it's not a safe queen - maybe if i wanted it to stay in my safe all the time that kind of polishing would be a good investment, but i don't see the value in getting that kind of work done if you're going to be taking the gun to the range i've found that if i clean the revolver as soon as possible it comes clean pretty easy - takes a little work getting the burn marks off the cylinder ring, i use an eraser first, then some cleaning solution with a toothbrush - does pretty good it's always a project, but i enjoy it - i just shot it day before yesterday and this is a picture i took today - still holds its shine
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Last edited by ZX9ALLDAY; 03-08-2018 at 1:08 AM.. |
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Well done
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#15
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many use some grit sandpaper with a little oil on it and do some light sanding, it seems to do well with the brushed markings but i don't care about that - you polish it enough they won't be a noticeable problem my trigger housing was a little rough, i used some sandpaper on it dabbed with some oil and it smoothed it right out - the sanding thing may enhance it a bit i just wasn't interested in doing it like i said, it's not a safe queen, i just wanted a nicely polished stainless steel revolver to shoot and have some fun with - i probably overdid it, but im ok with that too
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great!!! TY for the info! i think i will do the same processess. I am less inclined to sanding because i dont want to take off too much off especialy on the engravings and around edges. Ill post pictures of my progresss! TY AGAIN |
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Ruger isn't known for the best finished product, it's not unusual to have some rough edges - like i said, i sanded the bottom of my trigger guard, it was rough running my finger across it - now it's very smooth 800 grit to 1000 grit light sanding shouldn't be a problem, just go with the grain if you opt to try it - you can always sand it a bit even after polishing, i just wasn't trying to make it that type of project i'll be expecting to see some before and after pictures - we all would
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Does anyone know what he charges? Whatever it is it looks worth the money Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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Just be wary - brushed finishes can often conceal scratches and grind lines.
Polished the flats on my slab side Ruger MkII pistol and yeah, some of those lines are pretty deep :/ |
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Wow! So shiny!
Personally, after I idiot scratched my parkerized RIA, I fumed for 5 minutes then decided. Eh, screw it. And now I sort of really like a worn down blued/parkerized gun. Just that look of well earned wear appeals to me. Sort of like "See, I shoot this gun!" Also, I can't keep those things clean so I convince myself to like it!
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================== Remember to dial 1 before 911. Forget about stopping power. If you can't hit it, you can't stop it. There. Are. Four. Lights! |
#22
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Wow, holy crap that Patriot guy does incredible work! If I had a gun worthy of it, I'd send it to him!
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================== Remember to dial 1 before 911. Forget about stopping power. If you can't hit it, you can't stop it. There. Are. Four. Lights! |
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on the Ruger they're fairly deep - i don't sand, just hand polish and the amount of polishing i've done probably doesn't come close to removing the roll marks
i'll have to look, but, i think there is a roll mark or two on the inside area of the frame - i don't polish that area
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Ty for the info! yes i have heard... can you show us some pics? is it tolerable? |
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hey guys, so i picked up the my first wheel gun/pistol in the state of CA, and love it. The Ruger SP101 is alot nicer than i thought it would be. I took her out to the range and ran 75 38sp and 25 357mag gun functioned flawless. I took her home, and gave her a good cleaning and began my polishing process. This is a pic of my first "Polish". I used Mothers and some elbow grease. The polish took away alot of carbon that my CLP had trouble with!Attachment 692577Attachment 692576
Last edited by ZX9ALLDAY; 04-07-2018 at 9:16 AM.. |
#28
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Electropolishing is what you want. Almost mirror-like finish. Not cheap. Requires the gun to be disassemble and put in a bath; then washed and reassembled. Oh but it sure is gorgeous. Don't forget shipping each way. Search for a company that does it in your area.
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#29
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yes i would love to get electro polishing done, but i just dont see the process worth it with a 500$ gun. |
#30
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If you're cheap and don't mind doing the work, 800-2500 grit sand paper from auto paint supply store will do it, just use something firm and flat with paper wrapped around it so you get it smooth. Can be done on a few polishing wheels but rounds edges if not real careful.
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#31
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But it still looks like a Ruger.
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"Find out just what the people will submit to and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them and these will continue until they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress." -- Frederick Douglass -- “I didn’t know I was a slave until I found out I couldn’t do the things I wanted.” – Frederick Douglass -- |
#32
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Unless if you have extra money to burn, are working with a museum piece, or want something like that, there is no need to send out a gun.
You will be amazed at what you will get from some polishing compound, an old t shirt, and a few hours in front of tv. Be careful with edges and lines. If you are mechanically inclined and shop savvy, you can get a machine and a few polishing wheels for under $100(from Harbor Freight) and polish all the guns you want. Be very, very careful if you use a machine and wheels. It will round an edge faster than you'd think. |
#34
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Semichrome and a drill press
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#35
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[QUOTE=FeuerFrei;21431349
But it still looks like a Ruger.[/QUOTE] I think that is the problem.
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NRA LIFE (1974) Psalm 46:10 I had a commission/USNR from 71-77 but never consider myself a Vet MyDad+4uncles/USMC/WW2/Korea/Vietnam. My Grandfather US Army WW1. No heroes,just regular folks--they were Veterans. “Do not be deceived.God is not mocked. You will reap what you sow.” |
#36
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I think Mothers is a little grittier than Flitz... All you need is a 5 oz tin of Mothers and some old t-shirts...
I did it while watching the boob tube. Doesn't take that long. hogue2_zpsxdmlpm4a.jpg |
#37
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A little more elbow grease went into the ruger today.... 2 more hours, and it is starting to shine 😍👌🏽Attachment 693085
Last edited by ZX9ALLDAY; 04-07-2018 at 9:16 AM.. |
#38
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before____ afterAttachment 693192
Last edited by ZX9ALLDAY; 04-07-2018 at 9:16 AM.. |
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