polishing a bead blasted barrel

[Jay Christopherson]

I have a bead blasted barrel that I would like to polish instead. I do not have a lathe. Any suggestions on the best technique/way to go about it? I don't mind picking up some extra equipment if needed, but it'd be cool if I could do with with equipment I already have. I have a full woodworking shop (nothing I can spin a barrel on) and I plan to get a barrel spinning fixture to hold the barrel. Other than that, I'm an empty page.

 

[Preacher]

Not a problem doing it with out a lathe, use the shoe shine method with strips of abrasive paper at a angle, and keep changing that angle while your working at it.
Between grits go the length of the barrel front to back until the previous scratch lines are gone, then go to the next size and start all over again..
Something around 220 should get you started.... go slow and clean up the old grit before going to the next one, and all will be good...

 

[fdshuster]

When you get it down to a nice smooth bare metal finish, give it a rub-down polishing finish with "Happich Simichrome Polish". Available at most Harley shops/dealers, a 1.76 oz. tube for about $8.00. A little goes a long way & with a minimum amount of elbow grease stainless, chrome moly, aluminum, etc. will look like polished chrome. Made in Germany.

 

[Jay Christopherson]

So, you think I can just do it by hand then and get a good finish on it at the end? I know I can do that with wood, but metal seems to show rub marks much more easily.

Not a problem doing it with out a lathe, use the shoe shine method with strips of abrasive paper at a angle, and keep changing that angle while your working at it.
Between grits go the length of the barrel front to back until the previous scratch lines are gone, then go to the next size and start all over again..
Something around 220 should get you started.... go slow and clean up the old grit before going to the next one, and all will be good...

 

[shortgrass]

Hand polishing just takes lots of elbow grease so you don't have those 'rub' marks, takes time, too!