Polishing stainless steel

[Kevin1990]

I have a defiance tenacity barreled action for sale in the classifieds. I looked at other posts and noticed they are quite a lot “shinier.” I never abused the action, infact it went from bench to safe for its entire life.

Any quick way, or product I can use to restore the shine?

Thanks fellas.

 

[Bc'z]

I have a defiance tenacity barreled action for sale in the classifieds. I looked at other posts and noticed they are quite a lot “shinier.” I never abused the action, infact it went from bench to safe for its entire life.

Any quick way, or product I can use to restore the shine?

Thanks fellas.

Hit up my brother from another mother
@Hntndad he polished out my Bighorn action and barrel to a mirror by HAND.
Call me tomorrow and I'll give you his number.
After I forward him for a heads up.

 

[Scott-ak]

Might try some never dull. We used it on stainless commercial fishing lures

 

[natdscott]

Buffing wheel with white rouge. It's literally for that.

Won't remove "deep" scratches, but it doesn't sound like you have those.

 

[majohnson]

On my parts I been using diamond paste polish. It takes some time to go through grit and then 2 coats of the Renaissance wax.

The nice thing about not using a buffer, is there is no chance of your part getting thrown by the wheel.

 

[swd]

Flitz, Semichrome and Meguiars all make good polishes that work well by hand.

 

[Dan-Schenk]

On my parts I been using diamond paste polish. It takes some time to go through grit and then 2 coats of the Renaissance wax.

The nice thing about not using a buffer, is there is no chance of your part getting thrown by the wheel.

I’ve been there. lol

 

[shortgrass]

On my parts I been using diamond paste polish. It takes some time to go through grit and then 2 coats of the Renaissance wax.

The nice thing about not using a buffer, is there is no chance of your part getting thrown by the wheel.

The greatest risk when using a buffer is 'washing out' lettering or numbers and or dishing screw holes, and/or rounding of edges/corners ,,,, not to mention the possibility of creating ripples, especially on the barrel.

 

[wildcatter]

The greatest risk when using a buffer is 'washing out' lettering or numbers and or dishing screw holes, and/or rounding of edges/corners ,,,, not to mention the possibility of creating ripples, especially on the barrel.

A complete no no on aluminum for those very reasons! Might take a lot on stainless, but I've seen how guy's ruin aluminum,, wave after wave from power buffer.

 

[LVLAaron]

I've noticed that about Defiance actions... They oxidize or something and get dull over time.

 

[shortgrass]

A complete no no on aluminum for those very reasons! Might take a lot on stainless, but I've seen how guy's ruin aluminum,, wave after wave from power buffer.

Not just aluminum, I've seen many amateur polish jobs on CM and SS over the past 30+yrs. Just because it's "shiny" doesn't make it a good job.

 

[20PPC]

The key to getting a good polish is to sand with 800 then 1000 then 1500 grit sand paper, then put it on a buffer with rouge.
A Panda and a Borden I did.

 

[Hntndad]

Skip the buffer wheel and stay off your abutments. Use a backer when flat needs to stay flat. Watch your edges on multi flat actions. Highly polished actions need to be dead flat which require starting with lower grit paper. Alternate direction with each successive grit, removing the scratch pattern from the prior.
This Panda came to me looking like it just came out of the ceramic tumbler. No buffing wheels and no polishing compound/rouge.

 

[Bc'z]

When I say @Hntndad is to metal what i am to paint....
well damn it thats why we're brothers!
Love ya Kevin, tell mom I said hi!!

 

[Hntndad]

Mom says hi! Muttered something about having you do a paint job and was looking at this.

Haven’t got the slightest idea what the hell she’s talking about… ?

 

[Bc'z]

Mom says hi! Muttered something about having you do a paint job and was looking at this.
View attachment 1500065
Haven’t got the slightest idea what the hell she’s talking about… ?

Lmmfao

 

[Kevin1990]

Skip the buffer wheel and stay off your abutments. Use a backer when flat needs to stay flat. Watch your edges on multi flat actions. Highly polished actions need to be dead flat which require starting with lower grit paper. Alternate direction with each successive grit, removing the scratch pattern from the prior.
This Panda came to me looking like it just came out of the ceramic tumbler. No buffing wheels and no polishing compound/rouge.
View attachment 1500058
View attachment 1500059

Thanks for the advice today. Much appreciated! Now THAT is polishing.

 

[Bc'z]

Thanks for the advice today. Much appreciated! Now THAT is polishing.

Glad you fellas got to chat.
Call me tomorrow

 

[Kevin1990]

Glad you fellas got to chat.
Call me tomorrow

Will do!

 

[shortgrass]

Skip the buffer wheel and stay off your abutments. Use a backer when flat needs to stay flat. Watch your edges on multi flat actions. Highly polished actions need to be dead flat which require starting with lower grit paper. Alternate direction with each successive grit, removing the scratch pattern from the prior.
This Panda came to me looking like it just came out of the ceramic tumbler. No buffing wheels and no polishing compound/rouge.
View attachment 1500058
View attachment 1500059

There is no 'fast and easy way' to get a finish like that. Takes elbow grease, know-how and perseverance. A little shot of WD-40 while sanding will help the wet-n-dry paper load less and last a few strokes longer. Looks like very good job Hntndad, and your directions on getting there are spot on! That's the way I was taught in GS school over 30yrs ago.