New and first 1911!

[LittleGator]

Congrats on a very nice first 1911 . Sucks about the scratch. It is par for the course. I am veeeery familiar with the idiot scratch (unfortunately).

I used 0000 very fine steel wool and a good amount of gun oil, and rubbed and rubbed by hand. It helped quite a bit, but the scratch is still noticeable on my stainless SA Champion. Might have to rub some more this weekend -- now that I'm thinking about it.

Others, more experienced, will likely chime in with a better way to do it.

[RKP]

Originally Posted by pitor

I do plan to polish the scratch out as best as I can. I'm going to used mother's Polishing Compound. I wonder if I should polish by hand or with a power tool like a Dremel?

IMO, for this job I'd stay away from the Dremel bud.

[sdmc530]

Originally Posted by pitor

I do plan to polish the scratch out as best as I can. I'm going to used mother's Polishing Compound. I wonder if I should polish by hand or with a power tool like a Dremel?

HAND...please by HAND!!! to the length of the slide as well when you do it. Also do it by HAND!!

It has happened to most of us if not all of us. I have one with a large mark, but I just left it as a reminder I guess.

One tip, the grip screws are locktighted in but if you use a blow dryer that can help too. A touch of heat sometimes gets it freed up.

Did I mention you should polish it by HAND!!

glad to hear your got some grips coming too....grips are ok but the "range officer" on there kind of turns me off on them.

Can't wait for range report and dirty pics too!!

[pitor]

Originally Posted by sdmc530

HAND...please by HAND!!! to the length of the slide as well when you do it. Also do it by HAND!!

It has happened to most of us if not all of us. I have one with a large mark, but I just left it as a reminder I guess.

One tip, the grip screws are locktighted in but if you use a blow dryer that can help too. A touch of heat sometimes gets it freed up.

Did I mention you should polish it by HAND!!

glad to hear your got some grips coming too....grips are ok but the "range officer" on there kind of turns me off on them.

Can't wait for range report and dirty pics too!!

Fantastic suggestions phil. I have watched a bunch of YouTube videos and yes, BY HAND! following the grain of the metal, go slow

Now I need some ammo, both range and sd.

[Sheepdog]

Congrats!!! Like said, by hand. Dremel is rarely the right answer in regards to guns.

WARNING! They can be addicting!

[Xbonz]

Let me know when you're ready for numbers 2, 3, and 4..

[sdmc530]

Its fun watching them grow into adult guns isn't it fellas.

So proud, oh man I am tearing up. I love it when a guy buys a manly gun....

[NAMVET72]

Congrats to the World of 1911s use torque head screwdriver to remove grip screws................

[pitor]

Ok fellas, I was able to get rid of the idiot scratch and other minor scratches, so I want to share some of my very interesting findings about how to deal with scratches on a "brushed" SS finish. In particular the use of steel wool that at first was suggested by some friends and gun people.

After many youtube videos and extensive search, I learned that steel wool (0000) is not a good choice. The reason for this has to do with the following: As you work the steel wool on the slide (or frame) to get rid of scratches, fine particles of the steel wool may deposit in the cracks of the stainless steel slide/frame. These steel wool particles are not stainless and will promote rust spots on the cracks where it gets in.

Either stick to 1000 grit sandpaper or do like I did, turn to 3M Scotch Brite pads. They are synthetic and will never leave any residues on the metal. It worked great. I used the grey pad at first which is comparable to 800-1000 grit, then finished it with the white pad which is 1200-1500 grit. SCRATCHES ARE GONE.

I followed the grain of the metal in a single directon (not back and forth), did it by hand, and went slow. Now I can shoot the gun and as long as I don't drop it or bang it against something, I should be able to maintain its beautiful brushed look.

Below is chart that describes 3M Scotch Brite pads grits.

[RKP]

^^ Good news indeed.