Polishing slides..

[Kahrson]

I've noticed on my slide that the side where there is no engraving the polishing isn't what it should be. It gets cloudy on the flat part of the slide. You can see where they poished the edge on the top of the slide. That part is nice and polished but below that on the flat it dosen't have quite the mirrored finish.

I have a Dremel polish kit with soft buffing wheels and some jewelers compound or rouge whatever you call it. I'm assuming this should do the trick or is there something else I should be using? Just thought I'd ask before taking the Dremel to the slide. :)

On my K9 Elite by the way.

[gb6491]

I'd forgo the Dremel; it's very hard to get an even finish when polishing with one.
Using a compound like Mother's, Flitz, or Simichrome, try touching up the area by hand. Start lightly and see how it goes as it can be difficult to match finishes. You might even want to try a cleaner like Sheila Shine first.

...or you could go full in: http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=3290

Regards,
Greg

[Kahrson]

I gave it a whirl with the dremel and a soft buffing wheel. Made no difference in the appearance of the slide but made for a smooth slick surface. I think I'll just leave it as is. Obviously it will take something more aggressive than the compound and a soft wheel like the dremel has to actually change the finish.

The mirrored one in the link you showed is a little more than what i'm looking for,,:)

[Bawanna]

I started for the mirror like in GB's link but didn't get that far. I started with like 1200 sandpaper on a block and then polishing on a wheel and finally the simichrome and flitz.
It's real shiney and polished but not nearly mirror. Like GB said, you almost have to go for the whole deal or call it good. Can't really do half way with any good results.
I thought the Elites were pretty polished out of the box, not enough.
Can you post a picture?

[Catshooter]

Polishing is a true art. At Smith & Wesson in the old days when they knew how to polish a piece like it should be, it took 15 years to become one of their journeyman polishers.


Cat

[Bawanna]

Polishing is a true art. At Smith & Wesson in the old days when they knew how to polish a piece like it should be, it took 15 years to become one of their journeyman polishers.


Cat

Great minds think alike Catshooter. I just came in from my man cave to post nearly a word for word post. Glad you beat me to it. I couldn't remember exactly but I'm almost certain 15 years was correct.
Damn could they polish though.

[Kahrson]

I started for the mirror like in GB's link but didn't get that far. I started with like 1200 sandpaper on a block and then polishing on a wheel and finally the simichrome and flitz.
It's real shiney and polished but not nearly mirror. Like GB said, you almost have to go for the whole deal or call it good. Can't really do half way with any good results.
I thought the Elites were pretty polished out of the box, not enough.
Can you post a picture?
Not much of a photog but I can try to get a pic. If you hold the gun at a angle and look at the slide you can definetly see where Kahr polished the top edge but the flat part of the slide was left as is. The other side of the slide that has the engraving is done very nicely and is consistent throughout.
I'm probably the only one that will notice it so I'm really not that worried about it. Just thought that if the dremel would take care of it that would be nice but I'm not going to any great lengths to deal with it.

[Jim K]

Brownell's sells a book titled Gunsmithing Kinks. Starting on volume I, page 212, there are some good instructions for polishing. Best I've seen. After you read through this you may find that it is better left to someone who does this for a living.
An other option is to purchase "color grit" abrasive paper from an automotive paint supply. This can be used on flat surfaces without giving the "melted gun" look. Finish off with Flltz.
Before you start make sure the parts you are trying to polish are not nickel plated.

Regards, Jim