Remind Me Never To Polish My Own Stuff Again

[TripleDigitRide]

I thought it would be a great idea to do some polishing on my XD40. Since I couldn't get anyone to do it, without waiting two weeks, I took this project on myself. This wouldn't be an issue for most, but I live in an apartment, with almost no access to any type of power tools. I'll keep an eye out for someone with a high-speed buffer, or something else to help me get a better finish.

I had hoped for more of a mirror finish, but with no real power tools, this is the best I could do. It's not bad, but still not what I was looking for.

Please excuse the crappy pictures. I'm not sure what happened to the camera.

[xd shooter]

Not bad . What did you use? I wish I would have got a stainless slide on mine.

[TripleDigitRide]

I used Blue Remover, wire brush, steel wool, 1000 grit sand paper, and a few metal polishes that didn't work worth a damn.

I tried a rubbing compound, NEVR-Dull, and Blue Magic Metal Polish Cream. None of them did a thing. Maybe they would have worked better if I had a high-speed buffer. It's kinda hard to use one of those in an apartment. I'm gonna try to find someone who has one I can use.

[CatsEye]

Is that an SC model?

[TripleDigitRide]

No. It's a 4" Service model.

[Guest GUTTERbOY]

I polished the barrel and guide rod on mine about a week ago. All I used was the felt wheel and metal polish that came with my Dremel. The end result isn't what I'd call a total mirror finish, but it's pretty shiny. I only call it imperfect because you can see a grain to the metal still. I'm OK with that because I don't know how difficult it would be to get that out... nor do I want to try.

I've thought about hitting up the grip safety too, but I 'm ambivalent about that...

[CatsEye]

I asked about it being an SC because either the camera angle is funny or you have really big hands because it looks like a toy gun.

[TripleDigitRide]

Yea, I have really big hands. I noticed how small it looked as I was posting the pictures.

[TripleDigitRide]

I polished the barrel and guide rod on mine about a week ago. All I used was the felt wheel and metal polish that came with my Dremel. The end result isn't what I'd call a total mirror finish, but it's pretty shiny. I only call it imperfect because you can see a grain to the metal still. I'm OK with that because I don't know how difficult it would be to get that out... nor do I want to try.

I've thought about hitting up the grip safety too, but I 'm ambivalent about that...

Same here. It shines pretty good, but not the mirror finish I was looking for. I may just try to find someone to Hard-Chrome them.

[shaftbass]

I hate polishing anything.

Essentially, any time I have to lift a finger, it sucks.

[Mike.357]

yanno what they say about men with big hands....

ps: vinegar is great for bluing removal, soak the part for fiteen minutes or more and the bluing is gone

[TripleDigitRide]

Yea, They need bigger guns.

[Guest Houseboat]

I have polished several of my XDs.Wet/dry sandpaper 1000,1200,1500,and then 2000.Check an Automotive parts or Paint shop.If you are really bored after all of that a felt wheel (on a Dremel) with some Jewelers Rouge and you wont see a Mark,it will look like a Mirror Finish.

Larry http://www.Gun-Works.com

[strickj]

I just polished some parts on my 1911 and it turned out great.I used blue remover,a wire brush and some various grades of jewelers rouge.No sandpaper needed.I even used my dremmel for some parts and it turned out good also.Heres some crappy cell phone pics

Edited January 1, 2009 by strickj

[TripleDigitRide]

I'm gonna stop at the truck stop (not sure where else to get jewelers roughe) and buy me some. I'm gonna give that a shot before I decide to get the parts hard-chromed, or just buy hard-chromed part.

Yours turned out nice.

[strickj]

Also like you said metal polish dont work.For that mirror finish order some jewelers rouge.And you dont need a high speed buffer,just a cheep 10 dollar 6 inch one will do just fine.

[TripleDigitRide]

Also like you said metal polish dont work.For that mirror finish order some jewelers rouge.And you dont need a high speed buffer,just a cheep 10 dollar 6 inch one will do just fine.

Many truck stops carry Jewelers Rouge (it's used to polish wheels, tanks, and other metal on semis), and I have a Black & Decker that's like the Dremel. It turns about 30,000RPM, so I hope that will work.

[strickj]

It will work it just takes a little longer since you cant put allot a pressure on the part.

I think I started out with black rouge,then used white,green,and blue.

[Guest tnshooter]

all of this polishing looks good. My question is does rusting occur more?

[JimmyJoe69]

Did you try using Flitz? I polish the feedramp (and/or barrel throats) on all my .45's using this polish and the felt polishing wheels on my Dremel tool and they always come out with a mirror finish. The key is to be PATIENT and take your time. I also use the same setup to polish the inside of my reloading dies. It makes for MUCH easier full length sizing.

[strickj]

all of this polishing looks good. My question is does rusting occur more?

No.I do keep a layer of oil on any bare metal though

[doughnut]

I've used Flitz on some barrels and feed ramps as well. Although, I did it manually without power tools it came out looking great. Probably not a mirror shine though.