Improving blued finish

[Bill Lamb]

The new Blackhawks with the blued finish lack the high polished blued look of the older guns. Anyone know if 0000 steel wool or Flitz metal polish used very lightly would improve the looks of the factory blued finish?

 

[Otony]

Bill, try rubbing it down with Renaissance Wax and a soft cloth. I think you will be amazed at the results, and run zero risk of messing the finish up.

 

[contender]

Do NOT use steel wool or metal polish on a blued gun unless you want to remove the blueing.
As mentioned,, use the wax, or check with Bill Hamm about the oil he uses on his guns. I can't remember the name of the stuff he uses,, but it sure does make the guns shine!

 

[Riot Earp]

Yes, Flitz will remove the bluing. I used it to thin the bluing on a USFA Rodeo.

 

[Anonymous]

They don't bother to polish the gun much anymore before the bluing is applied. That's where the deep blue shine came from. Another nickel saved and the quality down the toilet a bit more. Trying to polish it now would remove the bluing.

manowar3

 

[flatgate]

I've used Flitz Polish on many of my Rugers with OK results.

flatgate

 

[w5lx]

I've used Flitz on S&W revolvers and Colt 1911's. The secret to success is how aggressive you use it. It WILL remove the bluing if you are overly aggressive with it. The secret is to gently polish with very light strokes just a few times to bring out the shine. Renaissance Wax will help to protect the finish and bring out the shine further. It is used by many museums, armories, and gun collectors. Best place to buy it is on Ebay.

http://www.woodfinishsupply.com/RenWax.html

 

[single action]

please note that flitz also comes in a cream that is less aggressive. sa

 

[CraigC]

You can't polish after-the-fact. If you want a bright blued finish you gotta polish the metal and THEN reblue it.

 

[rugerguy]

yessir, different 'bluing' salts today , than in years past, and as said, higher ,MORE polish in the older guns.......the new stuff is "supposed" to be more durable ( its easier and more forgiving really, works on more different metal ,and better...BUT not the same as the old days.....in fact, more black, than blue...nature of the beast...some oils and polishes will make the metal shiny BUT do NOT get aggressive, you WILL remove the finish..............after all, bluing is ONLY "controlled oxidation....." :roll: