Cleaning/Polishing the S&W 686....?

Stargazer · October 8, 2006, 06:20 AM

Gentlemen, My new S&W 686 sure shoots sweet. It was a demo gun in a gun shop that CDNN purchased out and resold. The stainless finish is nice but there seems to be some sort of film or buildup of scum/gunk in the crevices of the barrel and other parts. Kinda like a white thick film of just old oils from being handled.

Is there anything that can be used to clean up the outside stainless finish on one of these. I don't want a chrome plated look or a mirror look, just want to get it cleaned up a bit especially in the barrel outside longitudinal grooves. I used a rag that had some Flitz metal polish on it to see if that would remove some of the film and it did. Did I do wrong here by using the Flitz, is there anything better? Normal gun cleaning type solvents did not touch it.

I got to shoot it about (100) times yesterday and each and every time I shoot this pistol I like it even better! What do ya'll use to keep these pistols looking good?

629 shooter · October 8, 2006, 09:17 AM

A lot of shooters use Flitz. I use Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish for my 686 and my stainless Ruger Single Six. Intense polishing over a period of time will transform the finish of the revolver. My 686 and Single Six no longer have the matte look , now more of the bright stainless apperance.

I polished up the bolt handle on my Savage stainless rifle and it does sort of have that chrome look to it. But light buffing should not drastically alter the finish of your revolver.

Did the grasshopper show up after you posed the gun?

Stargazer · October 8, 2006, 09:29 AM

Ahh, you noticed the wildlife. I guess it was there when I first laid it down and then I saw it when I got up closer for close-ups.

It's good to know others use Flitz too. What little wiping I did with a cloth that I had wiped off some cases with did clean the film somewhat. An application of Flitz intentionally should remove the film all together.

JoeHatley · October 8, 2006, 05:04 PM

I use Flitz on my S&W stainless guns with their "brushed" finish.

Flitz will clean it up nicely, but if you don't want a mirror finish, go slow and know when to stop.

Good Luck...

Joe

joshua · October 9, 2006, 09:32 AM

Flitz is the ticket, I use it on my stainless guns all the time. If you don't want them ending up shiny go slow. I usually use a solvent like Hoppes on dried up/filmy thick oil then use an old toothbrush to brush off that stuff. Then go to town with a dry rag. Nice Smiths yo'll have there. josh

October 8, 2006, 06:20 AM	#1
Stargazer Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 506	Cleaning/Polishing the S&W 686....? Gentlemen, My new S&W 686 sure shoots sweet. It was a demo gun in a gun shop that CDNN purchased out and resold. The stainless finish is nice but there seems to be some sort of film or buildup of scum/gunk in the crevices of the barrel and other parts. Kinda like a white thick film of just old oils from being handled. Is there anything that can be used to clean up the outside stainless finish on one of these. I don't want a chrome plated look or a mirror look, just want to get it cleaned up a bit especially in the barrel outside longitudinal grooves. I used a rag that had some Flitz metal polish on it to see if that would remove some of the film and it did. Did I do wrong here by using the Flitz, is there anything better? Normal gun cleaning type solvents did not touch it. I got to shoot it about (100) times yesterday and each and every time I shoot this pistol I like it even better! What do ya'll use to keep these pistols looking good? __________________ 5.56mm, reach out and touch something. .458 SOCOM,reach out and knock something down. M70 Web Page

October 8, 2006, 09:17 AM	#2
629 shooter Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2002 Location: IN , USA Posts: 967	A lot of shooters use Flitz. I use Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish for my 686 and my stainless Ruger Single Six. Intense polishing over a period of time will transform the finish of the revolver. My 686 and Single Six no longer have the matte look , now more of the bright stainless apperance. I polished up the bolt handle on my Savage stainless rifle and it does sort of have that chrome look to it. But light buffing should not drastically alter the finish of your revolver. Did the grasshopper show up after you posed the gun? __________________ "One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."

October 8, 2006, 09:29 AM	#3
Stargazer Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 506	Ahh, you noticed the wildlife. I guess it was there when I first laid it down and then I saw it when I got up closer for close-ups. It's good to know others use Flitz too. What little wiping I did with a cloth that I had wiped off some cases with did clean the film somewhat. An application of Flitz intentionally should remove the film all together. __________________ 5.56mm, reach out and touch something. .458 SOCOM,reach out and knock something down. M70 Web Page

October 8, 2006, 05:04 PM	#4
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	I use Flitz on my S&W stainless guns with their "brushed" finish. Flitz will clean it up nicely, but if you don't want a mirror finish, go slow and know when to stop. Good Luck... Joe __________________ Go NRA

October 9, 2006, 09:32 AM	#5
joshua Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2004 Location: norCal Posts: 2,161	Flitz is the ticket, I use it on my stainless guns all the time. If you don't want them ending up shiny go slow. I usually use a solvent like Hoppes on dried up/filmy thick oil then use an old toothbrush to brush off that stuff. Then go to town with a dry rag. Nice Smiths yo'll have there. josh