Polishing Charging Handle - AK-47

[ts]

Hey guys, I recently decided to polish the charging handle on my AK-47, now I am not dummie and I did my research and came across this site that gives you the instructions on how to do it.

I have a Romanian build and it is all Duracoated. Should I polish all the Duracoat off? Anyone have pics of their charging handles/bolt carriers? Does anyone have anymore advice/resources/links that I can review before taking on this project (I am a perfectionist, don't wanna mess my toy up)?

Now I do realize this will greatly increase the chance of rust. But I do clean my guns very well and keep them well protected.

Thanks,
Tony

[DV8]

I tried the instructions on that site and got an "in the white" look. Not a mirror like finish (if thats what you're looking for) being lazy at the time, I decided that was ok so I left it at that.

The only thing I did different from their instructions is hit the carrier with a wire wheel to remove the original finish before polishing. I'm not sure how well that will work on a duracoated one as I've never tried it.

To get a mirror finish, you can try sanding with 800 grit first, then sand with progressively finer grits. Maybe go as fine as 2000 but you should see reflections as low as 1000. If you dont like it, a good bead blast will return the finish to in the white.

[ts]

starting project now - pray for me guys!

[RossRinSD]

What is the charging handle made of? Aluminum or stainless steel should hold a nice polish. But polishing regular steel???

[xrMike]

starting project now - pray for me guys!

Must

post

pics.

[ts]

The Duracoat won't come off, any suggestions guys!?

[RossRinSD]

what are you using to remove it?

[Q]

try to find out what the romy carrier is made of? if it's not stainless it might rust later on. try to find out if a yugo will fit. the yugo is polished most likely stainless maybe chrome.

[ts]

I like my matching serial numbers. From what I have been reading there is no chemical to remove Duracoat!

[Builder]

The AK bolt carrier is steel but not stainless.
Duracoat is tuff to remove. You may have to sand blast it off. Any luck with a wire wheel?
Builder

[Q]

you could try the paint remover at the hardware store but you will have to rinse it off and then it would proabably rust. or you could use a wire wheel on a drill. it will eat up rust and paint.

[SmokinGun]

I saw those instructions as well and I was going to try it on my AK with black finished furniture. Let us know how it works out.

[wayoutwest]

I just used the wire wheel on the dremmel to remove the orig. finish on mine. I still may spray it with a chrome paint (krylon or something)

[ts]

okay guys, 2 hours with the dremel got all the Duracoat off. i want to get it to a mirror finish, any suggestions?

[ts]

oh and one more thing - that little tutorial sucks. need advice on how to get this thing shiny and sooth.