How to polish a Panda action?

[Alexander-M]

Kelbly's used to do it, and the actions looked great, but they do not offer the polished Panda actions any more. I have done some aluminum polishing before, but not any surface that was critical, and I am concerned about rounding off any edges that need to stay sharp, or being able to get the same finish as Kelbly used to.

Any ideas or suggestions on how I may be able to polish a new Panda action?

Thanks!

Nando (Alex)

 

[Thud]

Are you about that. Check their site.

 

[Jr Rigsby]

I talked to Kelbys in December and again lst week, they told me that they no longer offer the option to polish an action. If I wanted it polished, take it some where else.

 

[LHSmith]

I don't believe they will polish their actions once they leave the factory. Yes, you are right, very difficult to polish and still keep the corners crisp.

 

[hotrodlouie]

If you want a good liquid polish use White Diamond sold only at Advance Auto Parts. This is the best product I found bar none. Just using a microfiber cloth you would be surprise the polish finish are use a foam pad on drill motor you will not round edges off like a buffer will.

 

[Clavius-Walker]

I just got one a month ago that was polished.

 

[Alexander-M]

If you want a good liquid polish use White Diamond sold only at Advance Auto Parts. This is the best product I found bar none. Just using a microfiber cloth you would be surprise the polish finish are use a foam pad on drill motor you will not round edges off like a buffer will.

I'll give that a try. Thanks!

BTW, I ordered mine in early February, and learned then about the no-polish offer. I really wanted it polished, just like the other Panda I bought last year. I talked with Ian again a few days ago (just in case), but the answer was the same.

Nando

 

[Kyle Schultz]

I ordered my Panda Nov 2015 and was told then no polished finish. The guy who had been been doing them quit/retired...whatever.

I don't like it but it is what it is. It will influence my decision to ever order another one in the future.

 

[Endyo]

I'm on the fence between a Panda or Borden.

Not sure if the no polish/polish feature will play a small part in my decision.

I know Richard King won't polish the Panda to the dismay of another shooter I know.

Tagged. Interested if there's a DIY method that won't cause "damage".

 

[280man]

Ian told me no more polished actions.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You just use a hard felt wheel and be careful on the facets. Theres a polish i use called heavy metal polish if you dont have a large buffer you can do by hand

 

[LHSmith]

Ian told me no more polished actions.

I think this decision will adversely impact their sales. I thought the $50 premium to polish was a bargain. Having worked in manufacturing where high polish of aluminum and stainless was part of the process, I know how tedious and dirty that job can be.

 

[Joe R]

This is a great opportunity for someone willing to take up the challenge and start offering that service and make some money in the process. IMO people that buy Panda's are not that sensitive to price.

 

[shortgrass]

It takes a certain amount of skill and practice to polish metal (or anything!) using a buffer. I've seen plenty of examples of washed out lettering and serial numbers, corners rounded off that used to be square and sharp, holes 'dished out'and 'ripples' across the surface of the metal that remind me of choppy waters on the lake. The finest metal prep is done by hand. Buffers just came into existance to "speed things up". If you want to practice 'buffing' on your Panda, have at it, it does belong to you. I need to mention "buffers" doesn't mean just stationary power tools used to hold & rotate felt or muslin wheels that are 'loaded' with polishing compound, but any mechanical device including your electric drill w/attachment. Wrapping 'wet & dry' paper around a hardwood block, with a bit of penatrating oil for 'wet', will keep the lettering and serial numbers intact and the corners 'sharp'. It takes time and 'elbow grease' . If you're not skilled in the use of 'power' buffers where damage can happen in a hart beat, I'd suggest doing the work by hand with a sanding block.

 

[alf]

The first thing to do if you want to polish an action or rings, is to tell them not to beadblast it.....

 

[shortgrass]

Polished with my FLEX buffer using Tripoli, followed by White Rouge. You won't do this by hand!View attachment 980069

I'd not bet on that if I was you!

 

[Clavius-Walker]

I did polish one a while back, it was bead blasted so I had to take care of that. What I did was use a 10x14 piece of flat granite (you can get one from a woodcraft store) and used progressively finer sand paper, the granite allows you to do one of the flat sides at a time and not worry about rounding edges, after I got it down to 2400 (or 2500, I forget) I then used a buffing wheel with Mothers aluminum wheel polish, it came out nice but was a ton of work.

 

[DCRYDER]

I thought they charged $120 for polished? I've polished 5 Pandas, and I know for only $50 I would have ordered them already polished.

The fella before is right. Order them raw, not blasted. Much easier/faster to polish.

I do 98% by hand then, smooth with buffing wheel, then final shine with Flitz or Semichrome.

 

[Endyo]

The first thing to do if you want to polish an action or rings, is to tell them not to beadblast it.....

Excellent insight. The bead blasting is something that had me concerned on polishing these actions. The other concerns were as comments of sub par jobs.

Easy to simply request the action without bead blasting

 

[Kyle Schultz]

Finish options were bead blast or sand paper. Jim Kelbly recommended the sand paper finish.