Cleaning and reviving the new luster of Stainless Steel

Ben Hennessy · August 5th, 2008, 08:37 AM

I just purchased an old lever action 22 Henry rifle that I am going to make it a project of mine to refinish. I shouldn't have anying problem refinishing the stock but the reciever on this rifle is in stainless steel. The steel is dull and I like to bring back the newness of stainless steel. I do not think when this rifle was new that the stainless steel was bright but right now it is real dull and slightly stained. Any idea's how I can do this and what products I should use? Keep in mind I do not own or have an area to put a buffing wheel. Any help I would apreciate.

spooter66 · August 5th, 2008, 10:26 AM

They do make stainless polish to remove the dullness and leave a nice shine. Have used before with mixed results, not on guns but stainless control panels, and I have no idea where to get some. Sorry. I don't know if it works on stainless but you could try that old military standby, Never-Dull. Test on another piece of stainless so you don't screw up your gun though. That stuff seems to polish just about anything.

Ben Hennessy · August 5th, 2008, 01:37 PM

Spooter. I've worked in food plants most my life and the stuff you are talking about, I think, is more like a polish. This stainless is more porus. I might need something more like a rubbing compound but not sure what compound to use. I found 4 or 5 compounds on the net but none of them states to be used with stainless. It wound be nice to have a buffing wheel but do not have a garage or a work shop to set one up. Someone on here has to know of a remedy!!! Thanks Spooter.

spooter66 · August 5th, 2008, 02:58 PM

Just trying to help.

A few guys on this forum have used a dremel tool with the buffing wheel on it to polish parts on their guns, some with pretty good results. Good luck.

Arisin Wind · August 5th, 2008, 03:30 PM

If the stainless finish was a "brushed finish" use a light duty Scotchbrite pad (Blue I think) and some oil. It will clean up nice.

If the finish was bright use some Simichrome, Neverdull. Flitz or even Mother's Magwheel polish.

Ben Hennessy · August 5th, 2008, 04:15 PM

The finish was a brush finish so I'll try to find the Scothbrite. I didn't know it came in different grades. We also used it at work but it was green and coarse. But subituting a Dremel Tool for a buffing whell is also a great idea. Thats something I can come up with quickly. Thanks guys.

B52 · August 5th, 2008, 04:36 PM

Try Neverdull.

Arisin Wind · August 5th, 2008, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Hennessy

The finish was a brush finish so I'll try to find the Scothbrite. I didn't know it came in different grades.

I checked online and it is the blue pad. They even mention making stainless steel sparkle.

Multi-Purpose Scour Pad

A versatile choice that can be used on non-stick cookware. Multi-Purpose scour pads can also be used to scrub stainless steel until it sparkles – just use a little detergent and your stainless steel appliances will shine like new.

Shizzlemah · August 5th, 2008, 11:16 PM

If you have access to a bench grinder, get a Scotchbrite EXL wheel, a nice wide one. If you dont have a bench grinder, get the $50 cheapo at sears.... The EXL wheels will move some metal, so be very gentle. You can get a near mirror shine. If you want to go full mirror, follow it up with rouge and a cotton wheel

Ben Hennessy · August 5th, 2008, 11:42 PM

Arisin Wind Thanks for going online and checking. after reading some of the replys to me, I did try a cheap scouring pad I had with a litttle Break Free and it did clean up some. With the right Scotchbrite I think I'll get the shine I'm looking for. Not looking for a mirrow finish. I do not know why I didn't think of Scotchbrite being a machinist in the food industry. I guess with all the work I've done with stainless steel I never had to be responsible for putting a shine on my work. That was always someone elses job.

August 5th, 2008, 08:37 AM	#1
Ben Hennessy VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St. James, Missouri Posts: 2,361	Cleaning and reviving the new luster of Stainless Steel I just purchased an old lever action 22 Henry rifle that I am going to make it a project of mine to refinish. I shouldn't have anying problem refinishing the stock but the reciever on this rifle is in stainless steel. The steel is dull and I like to bring back the newness of stainless steel. I do not think when this rifle was new that the stainless steel was bright but right now it is real dull and slightly stained. Any idea's how I can do this and what products I should use? Keep in mind I do not own or have an area to put a buffing wheel. Any help I would apreciate.

August 5th, 2008, 03:30 PM	#5
Arisin Wind Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 246	If the stainless finish was a "brushed finish" use a light duty Scotchbrite pad (Blue I think) and some oil. It will clean up nice. If the finish was bright use some Simichrome, Neverdull. Flitz or even Mother's Magwheel polish. __________________ Be not far from me, for trouble is near; For there is none to help. psalm22:11

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

August 5th, 2008, 10:26 AM	#2
spooter66 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: PA Posts: 289	They do make stainless polish to remove the dullness and leave a nice shine. Have used before with mixed results, not on guns but stainless control panels, and I have no idea where to get some. Sorry. I don't know if it works on stainless but you could try that old military standby, Never-Dull. Test on another piece of stainless so you don't screw up your gun though. That stuff seems to polish just about anything.

August 5th, 2008, 01:37 PM	#3
Ben Hennessy VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St. James, Missouri Posts: 2,361	Spooter. I've worked in food plants most my life and the stuff you are talking about, I think, is more like a polish. This stainless is more porus. I might need something more like a rubbing compound but not sure what compound to use. I found 4 or 5 compounds on the net but none of them states to be used with stainless. It wound be nice to have a buffing wheel but do not have a garage or a work shop to set one up. Someone on here has to know of a remedy!!! Thanks Spooter.

August 5th, 2008, 02:58 PM	#4
spooter66 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: PA Posts: 289	Just trying to help. A few guys on this forum have used a dremel tool with the buffing wheel on it to polish parts on their guns, some with pretty good results. Good luck.

August 5th, 2008, 04:15 PM	#6
Ben Hennessy VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St. James, Missouri Posts: 2,361	The finish was a brush finish so I'll try to find the Scothbrite. I didn't know it came in different grades. We also used it at work but it was green and coarse. But subituting a Dremel Tool for a buffing whell is also a great idea. Thats something I can come up with quickly. Thanks guys.

August 5th, 2008, 04:36 PM	#7
B52 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 571	Try Neverdull.

August 5th, 2008, 11:16 PM	#9
Shizzlemah Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 724	If you have access to a bench grinder, get a Scotchbrite EXL wheel, a nice wide one. If you dont have a bench grinder, get the $50 cheapo at sears.... The EXL wheels will move some metal, so be very gentle. You can get a near mirror shine. If you want to go full mirror, follow it up with rouge and a cotton wheel

August 5th, 2008, 11:42 PM	#10
Ben Hennessy VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St. James, Missouri Posts: 2,361	Arisin Wind Thanks for going online and checking. after reading some of the replys to me, I did try a cheap scouring pad I had with a litttle Break Free and it did clean up some. With the right Scotchbrite I think I'll get the shine I'm looking for. Not looking for a mirrow finish. I do not know why I didn't think of Scotchbrite being a machinist in the food industry. I guess with all the work I've done with stainless steel I never had to be responsible for putting a shine on my work. That was always someone elses job.