Scratches on Stainless... - The Firearms Forum

glocknut · 09-11-2009, 06:49 PM

I have one pistol in brushed stainless that every time i take it out and fiddle with it i find a new scratch on it. A different pistol "colt commander" that does not scratch at all. But this one i am talking about will scratch so so easily....

Are some finishes softer than others? Anyone else have a gun that seems to scratch easier than others?

mike
gn

Doc1911 · 09-11-2009, 07:27 PM

There are different types of stainless steel (and some have coatings over them ...).

There are some other ways to get rid of scratches: (1) use Flitz (or diamond paste - Gesswein.com part number 216-9078, etc.) and a cotton cloth to clean up some minor scratches from a stainless steel . Applying some Flitz...letting it dry...rubbing it out with the cloth...repeating.... (2) use white rouge (comes in a large crayon looking stick) with a Dremel and the polishing pads (you do need to be cautious with how much pressure you apply on the buffing wheel.), (3) Scotbrite pads - Red is course, gray is fine.

WARNING: SATIN FINISHED or BEAD BLASTED Stainless will end up polished bright if you use metal polish to remove scratches. DO NOT use STEEL WOOL on a STAINLESS gun.

Scratches, Holster rub marks, etc are just character marks of a well used gun.

This is just my (and that of others) experience, but a lot depends on the type of stainless, etc.

tex45acp · 09-13-2009, 06:26 AM

Glocknut,

I used to have a pre-loaded Springfield Champion that seemed to have a softer grade of stainless steel. I have always used the purple/maroon Scotch Brite Pads on my brushed stainless finishes. It works great and they are fairly cheap. I buy mine at a local NAPA auto parts store or anywhere they sell automotive paints. Here are a couple of my guns I have used them on.

JLA · 09-13-2009, 09:07 AM

eh, I wouldnt sweat it too much, scratches add character and prove the gun is a shooter. I dont own a single gun that doesnt have at least a dozen scratches on it, and I always get complimented on how nice my weapons are at the range. Mine are well used, accurate and reliable, cleaned thoroughly after each use and put away well lubed...

Doc1911 · 09-13-2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tex45acp

Glocknut,

I used to have a pre-loaded Springfield Champion that seemed to have a softer grade of stainless steel. I have always used the purple/maroon Scotch Brite Pads on my brushed stainless finishes. It works great and they are fairly cheap. I buy mine at a local NAPA auto parts store or anywhere they sell automotive paints.

Those pics look nice.

glocknut · 09-13-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

eh, I wouldnt sweat it too much, scratches add character and prove the gun is a shooter. I dont own a single gun that doesnt have at least a dozen scratches on it, and I always get complimented on how nice my weapons are at the range. Mine are well used, accurate and reliable, cleaned thoroughly after each use and put away well lubed...

I don't like scratches... Yuck.

mike
gn

glocknut · 09-13-2009, 06:17 PM

PS

Thanks Everyone!

mike
gn

muddober · 09-13-2009, 07:08 PM

Mike, if you place your gun in one of those fleece lined gun rugs and never take it out of your safe and go shoot it, it will never, never scratch.

Ron

Ps: tex45acp, that was very informative, I will have to try that.

Shooter45 · 09-13-2009, 07:30 PM

I have used the green ScotchBrite pads sucessfully but never used the purple ones. I used light pressure and worked slowly. I'll have to pick up a purple pad to have on hand. Thanks for the tip.

glocknut · 09-13-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muddober

Mike, if you place your gun in one of those fleece lined gun rugs and never take it out of your safe and go shoot it, it will never, never scratch.

Ron

Yeah....

mike
gn

Suicide*Ride · 09-14-2009, 10:23 AM

Mike, I have found that these work the best for removing scratches in a stainless finish, & won't round sharp edges like a Scotch-brite pad. They come in thin, flexible pads, & thicker, 1in. foam blocks. I own 8 or 9 in med. & fine grits, & bought a couple that have a beveled edge (knife edge) on 1 side, that has come in handy several times!!

Geeze!! I just remembered...

.... you can buy them in the painting / hardware section @ wally world!!

They're the cat's meow as I like to say...

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...beS1HF20LRQWgl

Stainless steel or CRES (Corrosion RESistant steel) comes in two main grades:

300 series Austinetic CRES (non-magnetic) Very corrosion resistant & retains it's strength in high & low temp. applications.

400 series Martensitic CRES (magnetic) Contains chromium and no nickel. Harder than 300 series cres because it can be heat treated, but will rust in a worst case scenerio. Ever seen a knife blade made out of 440 stainless?

On top of all that, investment cast stainless steels will be a little softer than billet or forged steels (due to work hardening), & will scratch a little easier. I'll have to check my Colt combat commander w/a magnet & see if it is 300 series or 400 series. You can work-harden 300 cres by cold-rolling it, & I'm thinking the slide of a Colt has rolled emblems so maybe that's why they don't scratch as easily.

Hope that answers your question. (in a nutshell!

)

SR

delta13soultaker · 09-14-2009, 08:55 PM

In Wal-Mart or a dollar store, there are those little smooth foam pads in the cosmetic area that women use to buff their nails.

It's not a file. It is smooth, like foam. I think they cost about a dollar.

If you lightly buff a brushed or bead blasted SS finish, those things will quickly remove scratches.

glocknut · 09-14-2009, 09:58 PM

I'll give it a try. It couldn't be any worse than it allready is... Oh boy... have i EVER said that before!!!

The finish on this one scratches soo much easier than anything else. Just doesn't seem right?

mike
gn

09-11-2009, 06:49 PM	#1
glocknut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: THE FORUM MASCOTT... Posts: 12,482	Scratches on Stainless... I have one pistol in brushed stainless that every time i take it out and fiddle with it i find a new scratch on it. A different pistol "colt commander" that does not scratch at all. But this one i am talking about will scratch so so easily.... Are some finishes softer than others? Anyone else have a gun that seems to scratch easier than others? mike gn __________________ Where O where are you tonight? Why have you gone and left me alone? I searched to world over and a thought i found true love... You met another and PTThhh you were gone.... -->

09-11-2009, 07:27 PM	#2
Doc1911 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: USA Posts: 874	Re: Scratches on Stainless... There are different types of stainless steel (and some have coatings over them ...). There are some other ways to get rid of scratches: (1) use Flitz (or diamond paste - Gesswein.com part number 216-9078, etc.) and a cotton cloth to clean up some minor scratches from a stainless steel . Applying some Flitz...letting it dry...rubbing it out with the cloth...repeating.... (2) use white rouge (comes in a large crayon looking stick) with a Dremel and the polishing pads (you do need to be cautious with how much pressure you apply on the buffing wheel.), (3) Scotbrite pads - Red is course, gray is fine. WARNING: SATIN FINISHED or BEAD BLASTED Stainless will end up polished bright if you use metal polish to remove scratches. DO NOT use STEEL WOOL on a STAINLESS gun. Scratches, Holster rub marks, etc are just character marks of a well used gun. This is just my (and that of others) experience, but a lot depends on the type of stainless, etc. __________________ _____ Sincerely, Doc NRA Life Member Last edited by Doc1911; 09-11-2009 at 07:28 PM..

09-13-2009, 06:26 AM	#3
tex45acp V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Great State of Texas Posts: 190	Re: Scratches on Stainless... Glocknut, I used to have a pre-loaded Springfield Champion that seemed to have a softer grade of stainless steel. I have always used the purple/maroon Scotch Brite Pads on my brushed stainless finishes. It works great and they are fairly cheap. I buy mine at a local NAPA auto parts store or anywhere they sell automotive paints. Here are a couple of my guns I have used them on. __________________ *The only thing needed for evil to exist......is for good men to stand by and do nothing!!!*

09-13-2009, 09:07 AM	#4
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Scratches on Stainless... eh, I wouldnt sweat it too much, scratches add character and prove the gun is a shooter. I dont own a single gun that doesnt have at least a dozen scratches on it, and I always get complimented on how nice my weapons are at the range. Mine are well used, accurate and reliable, cleaned thoroughly after each use and put away well lubed... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

09-13-2009, 06:17 PM	#7
glocknut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: THE FORUM MASCOTT... Posts: 12,482	Re: Scratches on Stainless... PS Thanks Everyone! mike gn __________________ Where O where are you tonight? Why have you gone and left me alone? I searched to world over and a thought i found true love... You met another and PTThhh you were gone....

09-13-2009, 07:08 PM	#8
muddober Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,436	Re: Scratches on Stainless... Mike, if you place your gun in one of those fleece lined gun rugs and never take it out of your safe and go shoot it, it will never, never scratch. Ron Ps: tex45acp, that was very informative, I will have to try that. Last edited by muddober; 09-13-2009 at 07:12 PM..

09-13-2009, 07:30 PM	#9
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,752	Re: Scratches on Stainless... I have used the green ScotchBrite pads sucessfully but never used the purple ones. I used light pressure and worked slowly. I'll have to pick up a purple pad to have on hand. Thanks for the tip.

09-14-2009, 10:23 AM	#11
Suicide*Ride Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Golden, Colorado Posts: 1,340	Re: Scratches on Stainless... Mike, I have found that these work the best for removing scratches in a stainless finish, & won't round sharp edges like a Scotch-brite pad. They come in thin, flexible pads, & thicker, 1in. foam blocks. I own 8 or 9 in med. & fine grits, & bought a couple that have a beveled edge (knife edge) on 1 side, that has come in handy several times!! Geeze!! I just remembered....... you can buy them in the painting / hardware section @ wally world!! They're the *cat's meow* as I like to say... http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...beS1HF20LRQWgl Stainless steel or CRES (Corrosion RESistant steel) comes in two main grades: 300 series Austinetic CRES (non-magnetic) Very corrosion resistant & retains it's strength in high & low temp. applications. 400 series Martensitic CRES (magnetic) Contains chromium and no nickel. Harder than 300 series cres because it can be heat treated, but will rust in a worst case scenerio. Ever seen a knife blade made out of 440 stainless? On top of all that, investment cast stainless steels will be a little softer than billet or forged steels (due to work hardening), & will scratch a little easier. I'll have to check my Colt combat commander w/a magnet & see if it is 300 series or 400 series. You can work-harden 300 cres by cold-rolling it, & I'm thinking the slide of a Colt has rolled emblems so maybe that's why they don't scratch as easily. Hope that answers your question. (in a nutshell! ) SR __________________ "The price of FREEDOM can be seen here" ******(the sign outside every VA hospital)****** In an emergency, people don't rise to the occasion, but are reduced to their level of training. When something is trying to eat you, it is hard to get off a good shot! "If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Twain Last edited by SuicideRide; 09-14-2009 at 11:28 AM.. Reason: speeling*

09-14-2009, 08:55 PM	#12
delta13soultaker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Depends on Uncle Sam's whim every 3 yrs. Posts: 2,948	Re: Scratches on Stainless... In Wal-Mart or a dollar store, there are those little smooth foam pads in the cosmetic area that women use to buff their nails. It's not a file. It is smooth, like foam. I think they cost about a dollar. If you lightly buff a brushed or bead blasted SS finish, those things will quickly remove scratches. __________________ Never say die! "A nation who forgets its defenders is soon forgotten itself." "A good shot must necessarily be a good man since the essence of good marksmanship is self-control and self-control is the essential quality of a good man." – Theodore Roosevelt

09-14-2009, 09:58 PM	#13
glocknut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: THE FORUM MASCOTT... Posts: 12,482	Re: Scratches on Stainless... I'll give it a try. It couldn't be any worse than it allready is... Oh boy... have i EVER said that before!!! The finish on this one scratches soo much easier than anything else. Just doesn't seem right? mike gn __________________ Where O where are you tonight? Why have you gone and left me alone? I searched to world over and a thought i found true love... You met another and PTThhh you were gone....