Cleaning Stainless Revolvers

[dfletcher]

I have a few +30 year old stainless revolvers and the finish has over time gotten a bit dull. I want to clean up the exterior, but don't want to get that shiny look - just want to get back to original or close to. Any suggestions?

[Revoman]

I have not used any, but I would think that the stainless steel appliance cleaners would work okay.

I have used an automotive product called Nev'r-Dull, it's a mag wheel cleaner that comes in a silver and blue tin can. It works very well, but you don't want to use it with a heavy hand as it will tend to start polishing. It removes most of the carbon from the face of the cylinder and flutes pretty well. But I very lightly use it just enough to remove those carbon deposits without getting the shine rolling.

YMMV

[brian5271]

I use never dull on my stainless guns as well. Easy to use and works great

[FeuerFrei]

I have used Flitz polish and red jeweler's rouge.
Works great and usually can be had at any hardware store.

[RR.44]

I prefer Simichrome, it is superior to Flitz, never tried Never Dull so I can't comment on it.

['ol shooter]

Mother's mag wheel polish. Cleans it up, but does not over polish. My wife's 66.

[CodyGT46]

I 2nd Mothers Mag & Aluminum polish. I use it on all my stainless guns. Give it enough time and effort and you can give them a mirror shine.

[dfletcher]

I'm trying to remember the name of the stuff that came in a can - treated cotton wadding, tear off a chunk and rub to clean?

[hbogart]

Birchwood Casey has a lead remover and polishing cloth that should work Polishing Cloth

NOT good for blued guns, though.

[squiddo]

Tagged, need to try this

[justjeff]

I'm trying to remember the name of the stuff that came in a can - treated cotton wadding, tear off a chunk and rub to clean?

Nevr-dull

http://www.nevrdull.com

[sealocan]

I believe another product was called Brasso and also came in that type of treated cotton pull away cloth / can.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brasso

it specialized in polishing brass but I imagine it would work for anything.

[dfletcher]

Nevr-dull

http://www.nevrdull.com

That's it.

[nickel plate]

I have 6" Python that came from the factory as "B STS" which is brightly polished. Maybe once every couple of years I'll lightly hand rub a product called "Blue Magic Metal Polish Cream" but every six months or so I slather it up with "Renaissance" wax.
Those that have stainless handguns other than a polished bright surface should be very careful with that finish and not use anything that has any abrasive compound additive. Even hand rubbing will eventually brighten the dull factory finish and turn it into something other than it's original release.
Any electric wheel should never be considered for polishing a firearm. It doesn't take too trained of an eye to observe less than crisp rollmarks and eased edges that were once sharp and at some point have been hit by a polishing wheel after leaving the factory.
If you're considering entering the red hot Colt Python B STS market do be aware that there is a rising number of post factory polished fake bright stainless revolvers out there. The stainless Pythons do come with an "S" stamp but no further clarification as to dull or bright and you can't trust the box label anymore as there is a crook on gunbroker selling fake Python boxes so the only bullet proof way to check on the original factory finish is to obtain the gun's serial number, contact Colt and pay for a letter of authenticity.

[anothergunnut]

Birchwood Casey has a lead remover and polishing cloth that should work Polishing Cloth

NOT good for blued guns, though.

I've used this to get the powder burns off the outside of the cylinder. It works very well for that and the front face of the cylinder. I've only done it once or twice because I mostly shoot my guns and those powder burns come right back.