Light Scratch Removal

O/U Mike · February 24, 2006, 11:39 AM

I have a stainless steel Ruger GP100 and a MRI Baby Eagle in brushed chrome. Both guns have minor scratches on them that I would like to remove. Magnum Research suggested I use a "white" piece of 3M Scotchbrite, which I assume means a clean piece, since I have never seen Scotchbrite in any color other than green. Any other informed suggestions would be appreciated.

willsnipe · February 24, 2006, 11:44 AM

Scotchbrite grade is indicated by color for easy identification. Some will produce a high polish, some ADD scratches. White is a fairly fine abrasive.

MillCreek · February 24, 2006, 11:48 AM

Actually, 'white' Scotchbrite is different than green Scotchbrite. The white is commonly used in auto body repair/paint finishing, and can often be found in auto body repair, auto parts and paint stores. The white is equivalent to a 'fine' grit and the gray is equivalent to an ultra fine grit. The green is equivalent to a coarse grit.

O/U Mike · February 24, 2006, 02:22 PM

Appreciate the information. Any other scratch removal suggestions other than Scotchbright?

MillCreek · February 24, 2006, 03:02 PM

Avoid steel wool, since that will imbed very small particles of steel wool into the stainless, and those particles will subsequently rust. You can also use a fine grade of emery cloth, or you can use a regular cloth and a polishing compound. The trouble with using a polishing compound, is unless you are careful and choose the right grit of compound, you end up with a shiny spot where you polished out the scratches. Then, you may feel compelled to polish up the whole gun to match. Please don't ask me how I know this.

O/U Mike · February 24, 2006, 06:22 PM

What about stainless steel wool?

Tom2 · February 24, 2006, 06:52 PM

How minor of a scratch? If you are talking about the fine cobweb scratches, sometimes just using Simichrome or Flitz or equivalent helps that. Best to start with the least abrasive or erosive thing you can find, before getting coarser. Once it is over done, you have a hard time going back.

O/U Mike · February 24, 2006, 09:41 PM

Thanks for the good advice.

Dfariswheel · February 24, 2006, 09:55 PM

While these methods well work fine on the stainless gun, DO NOT attempt scratch removal on a chrome plated gun.

Any attempts to "polish out" a scratch will break through the plating and ruin it.

Stainless is stainless all the way through, but plated finishes are a ultra thin coating.
A scratch cannot be "buffed out" without thinning or breaking through the thin coating.

On plated guns, just like on blued guns, scratches are forever, unless the gun is re-finished.

Jim Watson · February 24, 2006, 10:14 PM

It is tough to blend the finish. You start rubbing on a scratch with something of different grit than what the gun was originally done with and you will end up with a large patch shinier or duller than the rest. Call the scratches "character" and go shooting.

O/U Mike · February 24, 2006, 10:19 PM

...this has been very helpful. Kuddos to TFL Forums!

February 24, 2006, 11:39 AM	#1
O/U Mike Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2005 Location: Suburb NW of Chicago Posts: 139	Light Scratch Removal I have a stainless steel Ruger GP100 and a MRI Baby Eagle in brushed chrome. Both guns have minor scratches on them that I would like to remove. Magnum Research suggested I use a "white" piece of 3M Scotchbrite, which I assume means a clean piece, since I have never seen Scotchbrite in any color other than green. Any other informed suggestions would be appreciated.

February 24, 2006, 11:48 AM	#3
MillCreek Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2004 Location: Snohomish County, Washington USA Posts: 326	Actually, 'white' Scotchbrite is different than green Scotchbrite. The white is commonly used in auto body repair/paint finishing, and can often be found in auto body repair, auto parts and paint stores. The white is equivalent to a 'fine' grit and the gray is equivalent to an ultra fine grit. The green is equivalent to a coarse grit. __________________ Regards, MillCreek Snohomish County, Washington USA

February 24, 2006, 02:22 PM	#4
O/U Mike Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2005 Location: Suburb NW of Chicago Posts: 139	Thank You Appreciate the information. Any other scratch removal suggestions other than Scotchbright?

February 24, 2006, 03:02 PM	#5
MillCreek Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2004 Location: Snohomish County, Washington USA Posts: 326	Avoid steel wool, since that will imbed very small particles of steel wool into the stainless, and those particles will subsequently rust. You can also use a fine grade of emery cloth, or you can use a regular cloth and a polishing compound. The trouble with using a polishing compound, is unless you are careful and choose the right grit of compound, you end up with a shiny spot where you polished out the scratches. Then, you may feel compelled to polish up the whole gun to match. Please don't ask me how I know this. __________________ Regards, MillCreek Snohomish County, Washington USA

February 24, 2006, 06:22 PM	#6
O/U Mike Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2005 Location: Suburb NW of Chicago Posts: 139	Thanks Again What about stainless steel wool?

February 24, 2006, 11:44 AM	#2
willsnipe Member Join Date: October 30, 2005 Posts: 24	Scotchbrite grade is indicated by color for easy identification. Some will produce a high polish, some ADD scratches. White is a fairly fine abrasive.

February 24, 2006, 06:52 PM	#7
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	Polish How minor of a scratch? If you are talking about the fine cobweb scratches, sometimes just using Simichrome or Flitz or equivalent helps that. Best to start with the least abrasive or erosive thing you can find, before getting coarser. Once it is over done, you have a hard time going back.

February 24, 2006, 09:41 PM	#8
O/U Mike Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2005 Location: Suburb NW of Chicago Posts: 139	Tom2 Thanks for the good advice.

February 24, 2006, 09:55 PM	#9
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,556	While these methods well work fine on the stainless gun, DO NOT attempt scratch removal on a chrome plated gun. Any attempts to "polish out" a scratch will break through the plating and ruin it. Stainless is stainless all the way through, but plated finishes are a ultra thin coating. A scratch cannot be "buffed out" without thinning or breaking through the thin coating. On plated guns, just like on blued guns, scratches are forever, unless the gun is re-finished.

February 24, 2006, 10:14 PM	#10
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,163	It is tough to blend the finish. You start rubbing on a scratch with something of different grit than what the gun was originally done with and you will end up with a large patch shinier or duller than the rest. Call the scratches "character" and go shooting.

February 24, 2006, 10:19 PM	#11
O/U Mike Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2005 Location: Suburb NW of Chicago Posts: 139	Again, thanks for all your replies... ...this has been very helpful. Kuddos to TFL Forums!