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Advice for removing scratches in stainless steel

dingmo
Recently bought a used stainless steel pistol in an auction; it has a variety of scratches - some deep, others cosmetic only. Most scratches are on the polished sides of the pistol, so maintaining the finish consistency is important. Was wondering what the best way to remove them might be - sandpaper (wet or dry, what grit?), steel wool, my handy dandy dremel tool (brass or steel wire brush?)or some other tool/method? Thanks!
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4 comments

Date Votes
  • RancheroPaul
    Bright Polished Stainless steel got that way from an electric buffing wheel and jeweler's rouge.....which you can also do. Problem is that the "sharpness" of any of the edges are easily smoothed off so be careful.

    Matte Stainless can be brought back with the use of 400 grit emery paper used dry and a finish polishing of 0000 (4 ought) steel wool, according to the gunsmith we use.........Hope this helps.

    I Miss The World I Grew Up In!
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  • JudgeColt
    The deeper the damage, the more agressive the abrasive that will be needed to remove it. Then follow with progressively finer abrasives and finally polish to original luster. Lack of care or skill will result in an obvious repair. Damage on a bright-polished flat will be nearly impossible to remove without it showing because the depression where the damage was will show. Perhaps it would be better to leave that damage.

    Do not use steel wool because it will embed tiny bits of ferrous materials in the stainless steel that will cause rust. Use only non-ferrous abrasive materials.
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  • allechalley
    You might try some Flitz. A lot of guys swear by it, tho as the above cautions, rubbing too hard in one area will become obvious.
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  • dingmo
    Well, thanks for the advice. Sounds like I might just leave the scratches there, explain to everyone that looks at the gun that I didn't make them and classify them as "character". The pistol is a Para-Ordnance 14-45 Limited; I'd hate to ruin it! After all, they won't affect the function.

    Sad that the previous owner didn't have a clue how to take it apart. The bad scratches are from re-inserting the slide stop; nice,deep arcs were the result. C'est la vie - still a helluva deal!
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