MemphisJim
New member
I recently acquired a plated S&W 686 that I'd like to clean up some. A friend recommended Simichrome. Anyone have experience with it? Many thanks.
Anyone with Simichrome experience?
- Thread starter MemphisJim
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Blue Steel
New member
It is a very good metal polish. I use it for brass, and don't see why it wouldn't work on a non-finished gun like a stainless 686. If the gun has been finished or nickel-plated or something I'm not sure.
I would try it on a small stop under the grips just to see.
I would try it on a small stop under the grips just to see.
Simichrome is very good but it is abrasive. If you want to clean up a plated gun, just be careful how hard you rub. I do not know what the thickness of plating is but I can imagine you will kick yourself if you rub enough to break through to the metal underneath. Also keep in mind that the polish, being an abrasive, CAN get to areas you may not want to have abraded.
For stainless steel, often you need nothing more than a fine abrasive pad that you can get in many different grits. Just remember that the more you use it on one particular area, you may have to work on the whole gun to keep the overall appearance the same.
Sometimes it is just nice to think about those "character" dings that guns get and just leave them alone unless function is compromised.
For stainless steel, often you need nothing more than a fine abrasive pad that you can get in many different grits. Just remember that the more you use it on one particular area, you may have to work on the whole gun to keep the overall appearance the same.
Sometimes it is just nice to think about those "character" dings that guns get and just leave them alone unless function is compromised.
I've used Flitz on a nickeled gun, and it works well. After sitting in the safe for six months, a dull cloudiness has appeared, so it's time to wipe it down again. I try to put a very small amount of polish on a soft cloth, such as a large bore patch, and go over the gun in detail. The gun doesn't get shot (much), so I'm not trying to "polish out" marks, just giving the gun a good overall rub-down.
simichrome use.
Simichrome is an excellent product; I have used it for years. If your pistol is chrome plated a trip to the auto parts store will save you some money just get a can of good polish and a can of wax. Use the polish first to clean and remove any fine scratches then a fine coat of wax to protect the finish. Remember to keep both out of the works and wipe off any excess.
Simichrome is an excellent product; I have used it for years. If your pistol is chrome plated a trip to the auto parts store will save you some money just get a can of good polish and a can of wax. Use the polish first to clean and remove any fine scratches then a fine coat of wax to protect the finish. Remember to keep both out of the works and wipe off any excess.
Bill DeShivs
New member
There would be no reason to plate a stainless gun. If it is polished stainless, Simichrome will keep it shiny.
I have used Simichrome professionally for 35+ years.
I have used Simichrome professionally for 35+ years.
Bill DeShivs
New member
It can be plated.
MemphisJim
New member
My error in the original posting's description: it is stainless, not plated.
LeadFistExpress
New member
It is good
I have used Simichrome as well. It is abrasive and is not for use on plating, but rather for natural aluminum, stainless, brass, etc. I do not think it will do too much for stainless though considering the hardness. Just try some in a stainless steel sink and you will see what I am talking about. I have tried it and Mother's and neither do much for the stainless steel in my sink, but work wonders on softer metals.
I use Simichrome, Mother's and other polishes on the bare aluminum on my motorcycle, my cymbals for my drum kit and other things like that, but use a good chrome polish for plated metals. It is not abrasive and makes the surface shine like crazy. It removes water spots as well but that should not be a problem with a handgun.
I have used Simichrome as well. It is abrasive and is not for use on plating, but rather for natural aluminum, stainless, brass, etc. I do not think it will do too much for stainless though considering the hardness. Just try some in a stainless steel sink and you will see what I am talking about. I have tried it and Mother's and neither do much for the stainless steel in my sink, but work wonders on softer metals.
I use Simichrome, Mother's and other polishes on the bare aluminum on my motorcycle, my cymbals for my drum kit and other things like that, but use a good chrome polish for plated metals. It is not abrasive and makes the surface shine like crazy. It removes water spots as well but that should not be a problem with a handgun.
Bill DeShivs
New member
Guns aren't sinks. Simichrome will polish stainless. It is a very fine polish, and won't remove rough sanding marks (like in a sink.)
Any metal polish is abrasive-that's how you polish. Cleaners and waxes are not abrasive.
Any metal polish is abrasive-that's how you polish. Cleaners and waxes are not abrasive.
Motownstan
New member
SemiChrome is great stuff I've used it for 40+ years on everything from motorcycle parts to jewelry. The only gun I used it on is a nickle plated Model 10, shined it up nice. I wouldn't do it too often.
LeadFistExpress
New member
Not for Plated Metal
I did a google search and found this website (http://www.competitionchemicals.com/simichrome/). The description clearly states that Simichrome is for uncoated metals. It does claim that it will work for stainless so I stated that incorrectly. I still would make sure that the gun is not plated but rather stainless before I tried to use it.
I did a google search and found this website (http://www.competitionchemicals.com/simichrome/). The description clearly states that Simichrome is for uncoated metals. It does claim that it will work for stainless so I stated that incorrectly. I still would make sure that the gun is not plated but rather stainless before I tried to use it.
Bill DeShivs
New member
The reason the web site states that it is not for plated metals is because there are quite a few people out there that have no mechanical finesse, or just don't know when to quit. So-for the masses, it should not be used on plated metals.
If you know what you are doing, Simichrome is very useful for use on SOME plated metals. It should not be used on gold plating. Silver is usually plated thick enough that it can be polished. Nickel is hard, and plated thick enough to be polished. Chrome won't see much effect from Simichrome-the plating is too hard.
ANY of the platings could be polished through, so if you are not 100% sure of what you are doing, take it to a pro.
If you know what you are doing, Simichrome is very useful for use on SOME plated metals. It should not be used on gold plating. Silver is usually plated thick enough that it can be polished. Nickel is hard, and plated thick enough to be polished. Chrome won't see much effect from Simichrome-the plating is too hard.
ANY of the platings could be polished through, so if you are not 100% sure of what you are doing, take it to a pro.