I just got back my newly barreled action from the gunsmith yesterday. He did a great job, but before I bed the action, I would like to treat the barrel somehow to remove the shiny finish, or some type of coating that would look well with the flat black action. Somthing from a dull grey to a dull black. Anyone have any suggestions on how I could best achieve this?
Stainless Steel Barrel Finishing Options
- Thread starter varminater
- Start date
Any coating that you can apply at home is going to be sub-standard in appearance and durability.
The first thing I would try is Scotch-brite,or generic) non-woven abrasive pads. The maroon colored ones are classified as 80 grit but in the non-woven product yield around 120 grit finish.
I believe the pads are 6' X 9'. Cut them into 1' wide strips with a scissors. Wrap a strip around the barrel and rub it the length of the barrel. STOP and Rotate strip as it wears. You can stop and start at will.
DO NOT SHOE-SHINE!!!
As long as you work with the bore axis a very nice 'brushed' finish will quickly appear. Keep all of the motion in the same direction. Once achieved, further polishing with the same grit
pad will not improve the finish.
One pad is probably all you will need. As long as you go in the same direction,have I said that enough?) you cannot mess up. This finish is easy to touch up anytime an unwanted scratch appears. Do not be afraid.
I have used all types of abrasive products for over 30 years in my architectural blacksmithing and stainless steel fabrication businesses. Scotch-brite is very forgiving and user friendly.This will achieve a nice '3B' brushed finish. This is the standard stainless finish in the industry. After this finish it usually jumps to a much higher polish, most likely what you currently have.
I have used this process on rifle barrels and stainless revolvers with excellent results.
deepwater
The first thing I would try is Scotch-brite,or generic) non-woven abrasive pads. The maroon colored ones are classified as 80 grit but in the non-woven product yield around 120 grit finish.
I believe the pads are 6' X 9'. Cut them into 1' wide strips with a scissors. Wrap a strip around the barrel and rub it the length of the barrel. STOP and Rotate strip as it wears. You can stop and start at will.
DO NOT SHOE-SHINE!!!
As long as you work with the bore axis a very nice 'brushed' finish will quickly appear. Keep all of the motion in the same direction. Once achieved, further polishing with the same grit
pad will not improve the finish.
One pad is probably all you will need. As long as you go in the same direction,have I said that enough?) you cannot mess up. This finish is easy to touch up anytime an unwanted scratch appears. Do not be afraid.
I have used all types of abrasive products for over 30 years in my architectural blacksmithing and stainless steel fabrication businesses. Scotch-brite is very forgiving and user friendly.This will achieve a nice '3B' brushed finish. This is the standard stainless finish in the industry. After this finish it usually jumps to a much higher polish, most likely what you currently have.
I have used this process on rifle barrels and stainless revolvers with excellent results.
deepwater
butchlambert
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Charlie Santoni has done several for me. http://www.riflestockpainting.com/
The quality of his work is great, turnaround time is quick, and he is reasonable.
Butch
The quality of his work is great, turnaround time is quick, and he is reasonable.
Butch
Stainless can be finished several ways, wire brush, sand paper, glass beaded, painted, black chromed, black oxide, nitrate, epoxy coated, teflon coated, and their is a bluing process that takes special chemicals. I have see stainless that was blued and it looked like crap. I have seen blued stainless that looked great also. There are gunsmiths and finish companies that provide these services you just have to do your home work and research.
Nat Lambeth
Nat Lambeth
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