What's the best polishing compound to smooth up bolt actions...

Unlicensed Dremel · June 8, 2014, 01:59 PM

by hand cycling? Flitz doesn't seem to be doing much, since it's for brass and copper, not steel.

**4V50 Gary** · June 8, 2014, 03:30 PM

Valve grinding compound.

James K · June 8, 2014, 04:22 PM

Yep. Just use the fine grit and don't get very much on the locking lugs.

Maybe needless to say, but take the receiver and barrel out of the stock first and be sure to wash the action out good to get all the compound out when you are done.

Jim

Unlicensed Dremel · June 8, 2014, 09:42 PM

Ok, thanks - do I look for a particular grit number?

I actually did use Flitz on the lugs and receiver, but I think this is fine since that particular Flitz product was a tumbler media additive made for brass and copper only so it's a very very fine grit. The new Flitz product (in a tube) that I got - more of a paste than runny liquid - says it's for all metals, so it's surely rougher - this new stuff I will keep off the lugs and use on the raceway only.

What about jeweler's rouge - is it about the right grit?

BOPLEO · June 8, 2014, 10:24 PM

A lot of shooting will work fine.

HiBC · June 9, 2014, 09:17 AM

Most valve grinding compound is silicon carbide.It cuts fast,but tends to embed.IMO,its uses on guns...well,I like aluminum oxide lapping compound better.

Grit size:Realize the size of the rocks determines the clearance you will cut.The grit size is a screen size.240 grit is about .004,320 about .003,and that would be a minimal clearance per side.

So,just to knock off some high spots and smooth things a bit,try 600,or 800

Go easy,a lot of bolt slop is not desirable.Brownells,Midway,MSC,try for a source.

June 8, 2014, 01:59 PM	#1
Unlicensed Dremel Junior member Join Date: February 13, 2014 Location: Flathead Valley, MT Posts: 2,187	What's the best polishing compound to smooth up bolt actions... by hand cycling? Flitz doesn't seem to be doing much, since it's for brass and copper, not steel.

June 8, 2014, 03:30 PM	#2
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	Valve grinding compound. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

June 8, 2014, 09:42 PM	#4
Unlicensed Dremel Junior member Join Date: February 13, 2014 Location: Flathead Valley, MT Posts: 2,187	Ok, thanks - do I look for a particular grit number? I actually did use Flitz on the lugs and receiver, but I think this is fine since that particular Flitz product was a tumbler media additive made for brass and copper only so it's a very very fine grit. The new Flitz product (in a tube) that I got - more of a paste than runny liquid - says it's for all metals, so it's surely rougher - this new stuff I will keep off the lugs and use on the raceway only. What about jeweler's rouge - is it about the right grit? Last edited by Unlicensed Dremel; June 9, 2014 at 08:53 AM.

June 8, 2014, 04:22 PM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Yep. Just use the fine grit and don't get very much on the locking lugs. Maybe needless to say, but take the receiver and barrel out of the stock first and be sure to wash the action out good to get all the compound out when you are done. Jim

June 8, 2014, 10:24 PM	#5
BOPLEO Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Posts: 41	A lot of shooting will work fine.

June 9, 2014, 09:17 AM	#6
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,286	Most valve grinding compound is silicon carbide.It cuts fast,but tends to embed.IMO,its uses on guns...well,I like aluminum oxide lapping compound better. Grit size:Realize the size of the rocks determines the clearance you will cut.The grit size is a screen size.240 grit is about .004,320 about .003,and that would be a minimal clearance per side. So,just to knock off some high spots and smooth things a bit,try 600,or 800 Go easy,a lot of bolt slop is not desirable.Brownells,Midway,MSC,try for a source.