Removing Scratches? (Stainless S&W)

Model12Win · January 5, 2018, 08:29 PM

Hello everyone and greetings to you all! I bought a used Smith & Wesson Model 66 double-action .357 magnum revolver today but it's got scratches.

Can I buff these out? They look a lot worse off camera, and "shift" in the light so are pretty noticeable. They don't look deep though, more like scuffs. I do not want to refinish the whole revolver, only remove these scratches and make it blend in with the rest of the gun if possible.

What should I do? (please don't say leave it be, it's bothering me and I want to clean it up).

Thanks!

-M12

OzeanJaeger · January 5, 2018, 08:38 PM

A little Flitz on a rag and a little elbow grease will take out light scratches.

**4V50 Gary** · January 5, 2018, 09:13 PM

Polishing will make it shiny, but the scratch will still be there. Just enjoy it.

Scorch · January 5, 2018, 09:30 PM

I literally just finished doing this. A customer brought me a S&W Model 60 that had picked up a couple scratches and dings over the years, and wanted the scratches removed. OK, not a problem. Told him it will take about an hour and a half, he OKed it.

You could see where someone in the past had used metal polish on the side plate (different surface finish, different look). I disassembled the revolver and removed the cylinder from the crane, cylinder bolt and latch, and then replaced the side plate and screws. Since the surface was not deeply merred, I started out with 600 grit on a hard sanding block. I polished out the dings and scratches (stainless is very soft), then moved up to 800 grit, then to 1000 grit wet/dry paper. For the cylinder, I polished to 1000 as well. I finished by wet sanding with light oil and the 1000 grit paper. Disassembled, cleaned in the ultrasonic tank, and reassembled. Looks perfect now.

January 5, 2018, 08:29 PM	#1
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Removing Scratches? (Stainless S&W) Hello everyone and greetings to you all! I bought a used Smith & Wesson Model 66 double-action .357 magnum revolver today but it's got scratches. Can I buff these out? They look a lot worse off camera, and "shift" in the light so are pretty noticeable. They don't look deep though, more like scuffs. I do not want to refinish the whole revolver, only remove these scratches and make it blend in with the rest of the gun if possible. What should I do? (please don't say leave it be, it's bothering me and I want to clean it up). Thanks! -M12 Last edited by Model12Win; January 5, 2018 at 08:36 PM.

January 5, 2018, 09:13 PM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	Polishing will make it shiny, but the scratch will still be there. Just enjoy it. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

January 5, 2018, 09:30 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I literally just finished doing this. A customer brought me a S&W Model 60 that had picked up a couple scratches and dings over the years, and wanted the scratches removed. OK, not a problem. Told him it will take about an hour and a half, he OKed it. You could see where someone in the past had used metal polish on the side plate (different surface finish, different look). I disassembled the revolver and removed the cylinder from the crane, cylinder bolt and latch, and then replaced the side plate and screws. Since the surface was not deeply merred, I started out with 600 grit on a hard sanding block. I polished out the dings and scratches (stainless is very soft), then moved up to 800 grit, then to 1000 grit wet/dry paper. For the cylinder, I polished to 1000 as well. I finished by wet sanding with light oil and the 1000 grit paper. Disassembled, cleaned in the ultrasonic tank, and reassembled. Looks perfect now. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

January 5, 2018, 08:38 PM	#2
OzeanJaeger Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2014 Posts: 301	A little Flitz on a rag and a little elbow grease will take out light scratches.