Polish GSG 1911 Help

[BIGnTall83]

I have a GSG 1911-22 and everyone who has one knows the finish is crap. Ive got around 3k rounds through it and the finish is wearing quite a bit, mainly on the inside of the slide but some on the out side. I have never polished/stripped the finish off of anything but am considering stripping the finish off of the slide & controls at least and possibly the frame as well. Any tips/tricks/hints on removing the finish?

 

[JetGirl]

A guy who did just the frame fo his RIA started taking off the bluing with 220 sand paper and worked his way up to 2000 wet.
He used a polishing compound and a soft padded dremel and got this for his effort:

(if you can't see the pic, I'll re-save it and link it through photobucket)

Pic:

 

[BIGnTall83]

I see it JG, I am able to rub the finish off the inside of the slide and rails with Hoppes #9 and a shop towel lol, I will have to get some fine sandpaper and start there

 

[JetGirl]

That picture didn't really do the polishing job justice...
I asked him to take one outside in natural light and this is what he did:

(click on it to see it bigger)

 

[midget]

Looks similar to mine

 

[BIGnTall83]

They both look great!!! I think I am gonna start with the slide stop/safety/mag release and see where it goes from there. I will probably do the slide as well down the road, baby steps lol

 

[midget]

Also, if I remember, the slide on those gsg's are painted with some pretty weak stuff. The one I used to have had the finish wear super quick.

 

[PGRChaplain]

Use a Scotchbrite pad. The Burgundy color should be just right for your task. Use 600 grit wet or dry sandpaper, Wet, to finish.

 

[BIGnTall83]

I woke up early this morning and was bored and found some 180 grit sandpaper ( it was all I had in the house) and went to work on the barrel pin, slide stop, set screw (head), both sides of the safety. Personally I actually like the brushed metal look and may leave them this way. I picked up some abrasive disks for my dremel and will pick up some more sandpaper with a finer grit for the slide but I will probably save that project for a weekend.

 

[PGRChaplain]

Watch that Dremel Tool, It will take off too much real quick.

 

[sjstill]

You should find someone to bead blast it instead of sandpaper/Dremel. AllenM would be a good place to start...