Blued Finish Question

Handgunner00 · February 15, 2021, 09:19 AM

Just acquired the Walther PP cited in the three attached pics. As pics 1 and 2 indicate, this 1987 PP is in remarkable condition with a near flawless finish. But, as pic 3 clearly shows, there is a single blemish below the extractor that appears to be a hair thin, surface scratch that looks more like a smudge. Over the years, forum threads from all sources agreed there was nothing that would successfully conceal such imperfections other than a refinishing effort and all agreed the off the shelf cold blue mixtures never match the original bluing. So - question for a 2021 perspective: Is there now a process today, short of refinishing, that would conceal this blemish and completely restore the finish on this Walther PP?
Thanks all.

RickB · February 15, 2021, 12:00 PM

Do you know if the blemish is wear, or a deposit?
I'm going to assume you have tried to clean it via non-abrasive gun solvents, or brake cleaner?
If the smudge is something added to the surface, you could try removing it with some Flitz polish and a light touch.
If it's wear, then there's really nothing you can do to repair a spot defect on a polished surface.
If the polish has been disturbed, nothing could be added to it that would blend with the surrounding areas, even if it were a color match.

Handgunner00 · February 15, 2021, 12:08 PM

Rick: The polished surface has been disturbed; unfortunately, it is not a deposit. Thanks for responding.

Peter

Pahoo · February 15, 2021, 12:58 PM

Well, My response isn't going to address your "goals". That is a beautiful piece you have there and for the most part, I could live with it. ........

However, I would "try" to correct what is causing this "rub". Then I would clean the wear area only, in prep for "Spot-Bluing" and confine all work to the blemish, and protect the undamaged area from the bluing. .....

Be Safe !!!

Jim Watson · February 15, 2021, 01:08 PM

I do not find that little rub mark offensive and would not try to cover it.

It looks kind of crusty around the right grip, I would take the wood off and clean under it.

ms6852 · February 15, 2021, 01:17 PM

I would not worry about that wear mark at all. As was stated I find the gun to be quite remarkable for what it is. I do not know if it is reflection from the image, what is more concerning to me is that at the serrations on the rail the gun looks dirty also around the grips. Looks like lube or oil accumulation along with lint.

That wear mark does not compare to the deep scratch I put on my sharps rifle which I paid thousands for a couple of days after I bought it...c'est la vie.

**Unclenick** · February 15, 2021, 07:09 PM

Value is almost always impacted adversely by attempts to correct blemishes. Someone who is a genuine restorer might be able to correct it without having that effect on its value, but then you end up with so much money in it that you don't want to risk shooting it anymore. Not a move I would want to make.

If it bothers you, I would try to cover it by dotting it with black and blue Sharpies after the fashion of old-school photo retouching so I was confident I could truly remove every trace of it should I decide to sell it.

Scorch · February 16, 2021, 02:54 AM

Sharpies never look right, they have a purple-ish cast to them that stands out on metal. If you really want to get rid of it, having the slide reblued is your only option, It looks like there is also a blemish on the frame below the mark you are trying to resolve. Bottom line, if you want it to be perfect, have the pistol hand polished and reblued. If not, I would just leave it alone.

Handgunner00 · February 16, 2021, 10:21 AM

Thanks all for your instructive comments. Agree - minor imperfections in the blued finish are insignificant given the flawless functionality and overall remarkable condition of this Walther PP. Discovered what caused this blemish. I remembered the seller having some difficulty inserting the PP back into the tight fitting plastic factory box and that the box had elevated ridges off the box floor that the PP set on. And, there is a ridge precisely at the blemish line. I probably watched the seller create that imperfection during his sales pitch. Not a complaint - this Walther is a keeper.

**4V50 Gary** · February 16, 2021, 04:47 PM

Leave the original finish alone. Trying to touch it up will result in an uneven and unsightly finish.

BTW, very pretty piece you have there. Decades ago in the '70s a relative of mine bought a German one for $199.95 plus tax.

February 15, 2021, 12:00 PM	#2
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	Do you know if the blemish is wear, or a deposit? I'm going to assume you have tried to clean it via non-abrasive gun solvents, or brake cleaner? If the smudge is something added to the surface, you could try removing it with some Flitz polish and a light touch. If it's wear, then there's really nothing you can do to repair a spot defect on a polished surface. If the polish has been disturbed, nothing could be added to it that would blend with the surrounding areas, even if it were a color match. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

February 15, 2021, 12:58 PM	#4
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Very nice piece !!! Well, My response isn't going to address your "goals". That is a beautiful piece you have there and for the most part, I could live with it. ........ However, I would "try" to correct what is causing this "rub". Then I would clean the wear area only, in prep for "Spot-Bluing" and confine all work to the blemish, and protect the undamaged area from the bluing. ..... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

February 15, 2021, 01:17 PM	#6
ms6852 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,394	I would not worry about that wear mark at all. As was stated I find the gun to be quite remarkable for what it is. I do not know if it is reflection from the image, what is more concerning to me is that at the serrations on the rail the gun looks dirty also around the grips. Looks like lube or oil accumulation along with lint. That wear mark does not compare to the deep scratch I put on my sharps rifle which I paid thousands for a couple of days after I bought it...c'est la vie. __________________ ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST FOR YOUR SOUL AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FOR YOUR FREEDOM.

February 15, 2021, 07:09 PM	#7
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	Value is almost always impacted adversely by attempts to correct blemishes. Someone who is a genuine restorer might be able to correct it without having that effect on its value, but then you end up with so much money in it that you don't want to risk shooting it anymore. Not a move I would want to make. If it bothers you, I would try to cover it by dotting it with black and blue Sharpies after the fashion of old-school photo retouching so I was confident I could truly remove every trace of it should I decide to sell it. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 16, 2021, 02:54 AM	#8
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Sharpies never look right, they have a purple-ish cast to them that stands out on metal. If you really want to get rid of it, having the slide reblued is your only option, It looks like there is also a blemish on the frame below the mark you are trying to resolve. Bottom line, if you want it to be perfect, have the pistol hand polished and reblued. If not, I would just leave it alone. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 15, 2021, 12:08 PM	#3
Handgunner00 Member Join Date: April 9, 2017 Location: Fairfax Station, VA Posts: 63	Rick: The polished surface has been disturbed; unfortunately, it is not a deposit. Thanks for responding. Peter

February 15, 2021, 01:08 PM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	I do not find that little rub mark offensive and would not try to cover it. It looks kind of crusty around the right grip, I would take the wood off and clean under it.

February 16, 2021, 10:21 AM	#9
Handgunner00 Member Join Date: April 9, 2017 Location: Fairfax Station, VA Posts: 63	Thanks all for your instructive comments. Agree - minor imperfections in the blued finish are insignificant given the flawless functionality and overall remarkable condition of this Walther PP. Discovered what caused this blemish. I remembered the seller having some difficulty inserting the PP back into the tight fitting plastic factory box and that the box had elevated ridges off the box floor that the PP set on. And, there is a ridge precisely at the blemish line. I probably watched the seller create that imperfection during his sales pitch. Not a complaint - this Walther is a keeper.

February 16, 2021, 04:47 PM	#10
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	Leave the original finish alone. Trying to touch it up will result in an uneven and unsightly finish. BTW, very pretty piece you have there. Decades ago in the '70s a relative of mine bought a German one for $199.95 plus tax. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*