How-to Restore a Firearm: Ding & scratch removal made easy

This video details how I removed some minor dings and scratches from my new Colt Magnum Carry. It also details some reshaping of some small parts...including the cylinder release.

I gotta say you took the fear factor out of performing those kind of tasks on a firearm. Keep up the great presentations and don't ever lose that sense of humor of yours.

[@Glockster42]

The lighting is fine, the video looks great. Takes me back to my days working in a gunsmithing shop. Keep up the great work man.

[@toyotrustPR]

11 years later and I still come back to this video to try to do this again. Thanks

[@abortedlord]

Awesome video, this was exactly what I was looking for. A buddy picked up a used 1911 that is stainless but polished to almost a mirror finish in spots, and those spots have a few scratches in them. Like 99% of everywhere had the same tired chant, "Leave finishing to pros" blah blah, but I knew there was no reason to spend a hundred bucks on a couple of scratches in stainless. Thanks a million.

[@blusky7072]

Always start with the finest grit possible and slowly progress to coarser grit wet/dry sandpaper until the original deep scratches are gone then reverse the grit progression. In this way, you will not introduce new, deeper scratches to the surface that will need to be sanded out also. The depth of the original scratch may be shallower than you think.

[@TheDodgeAZ]

Thank you so much for this video. I Spent 3 hours last night restoring a 640-1 SW. There was some major scratches on a couple corners like it was skipped on the road or something. Looks beautiful now. I used a 320 grit sandpaper sponge block because thats all wally world had but it worked. I think i got TOO fine of steel wool because it wont buff out the very minor scuffs/ surface scratches. it was rated 0000 fineness.

[@georgehernandez6530]

Great! So you removed some minor unnoticeable dings and added some very noticeable scratches on the right side of the gun. You're a friggin genius

[@kamden1980]

Is this a YankeeMarshal video? No homo-erotic jokes, no toilet humor, and no low brow humor that we have come to expect from such an A1 class act. Even with such gems as "Wet down with oil" and "I have a nice good screw again"

[@Flguy34698]

Really great video. I have a old Ruger with lots of scrathces I want to fix up and this vid is going to help me so much. Thanks for all the great info.

[@GARYMANDIEVAN]

This is an awesome video on how to fix some scratches and dings ,thanks I will use this advice.

[@checkitout6944]

these are some great tips i just purchased a stainless steel revolver recently and plan on rapairing it a bit and polishing it to a nice shine so thanks alot for the tips!!!

[@Chinunit22]

i used a little of 320 grid sand paper, and then i used regular soft scotch pad the one u use for ur household to smooth it out my sw1911 stainless came out beuitifull

[@ElHombreGato]

When I need to sand with a straight edge I use polystyrene sheets glued together and then wrapped them in sandpaper. The cool thing about using the polystyrene sheets is if you have a odd angle or shape you need to work around you can cut the polystyrene into any shape. Then you can even lay the polystyrene custom shape you made on the smooth back of the sandpaper then cut it to shape and glue them together and you have a nice little sanding tool.

[@GREY1551]

Fantastic video! Thanks so much for sharing. I look forward to the polishing one.

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

You can retexture the frame with a garnet blast. If you mean the slide just have it ceracoated.

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

@arealgasm Just remove the screw and sand the top to get off the damaged slot adage and round the top off. Then use a small file or a piece of folded over sandpaper to file the slot out smooth...or you can just order new screws.

[@anthonylanci]

Great video. Love the tip on restoring the screws! I was just going to order new ones. Now you need to make a video on how you polish. I checked to see if you did but couldn't find any.

[@nijosm]

Look at that professional short stroker at work !

[@roadkillraker]

Wood is good, it's not too hard. Sounds like a personal problem. Great video I love your style and your new intro motage!

[@2541968joey]

Good information, well presented. Yep, taking too much off is easier than trying to some of it back. Thanks

[@Caje-zf8md]

Today I came home with a fairly expensive used stainless steel firearm that may have been polished to a mirror finish by it's previous owner. Because of the gun's value, I'm trying to decide on whether to try and bring it back to it's original satin finish. I've been aware of the "wetordry" 400-grit technique but adding oil was something new to me and makes a lot sense. I'd like to see your technique on blending in the sanding with the "grain" of the gun's finish.

[@bb-mn3mb]

Sorry about the scratches, but well done on the cylinder pitting. When I saw the 320 grit paper, my SP101 stood up and said "Sir, you keep that away from me, and I don't ever complain." I think the coarsest paper I have for gun work is 1000, for internal polishing.

[@veryevilnip]

Thank you for posting this video, just got my first stainless revolver GP -100 and has a bunch of marks on the top frame of the gun, will try your method to have them removed.

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

In some cases I do that, but in others I want that tactile feedback from holding the gun during.

[@faksen13]

I have seen a few of your videos, you make videos with a real content, not only videos for posting videos. nice.

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

@TheLawson1986 I would probably not remove it unless you are not worried about collectors value. If I did remove it I would just soak the gun in one of many rust removal substances to remove the rust. If it was something I was keeping and never selling (like a family heirloom) I would do just what I did here and then have Colt refinish it.

[@jordanjenkins6279]

Solid video going to apply some lessons to my 686-2

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

You will need to buff them out then bead blast the surface. If you try to just remove them you will end up with areas that do not match.

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

You shouldn't. It is carbon steel and will rust if the finish is removed.

[@anthonylanci]

Great video. Love the tip on restoring the screws! I was just going to order new ones. Now you need to make a video on how you polish. I checked to see if you did but couldn't find any.

[@MrBulletpoints]

I'm thinking "Bondo" or maybe bathroom caulk would be a good quick fix for a crack in a Jennings slide. Although the cost of the Bondo might exceed the actual value of the gun.... (It's a JOKE before I get a hundred messages telling me why this is a bad idea...). Enjoyed your video as always YM, your hands on how-to videos are very infotaining...

[@shooby106]

Love working with my hands building and toying with this kinda stuff, this video makes me want to buy a used stainless revolver

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

They can be removed, but it is a lot of work.

[@dangus6934]

Great thank you! I bought some Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish. I just bought a used 686+ and it just needs a little buffing.

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

They are good for buffing or finishing but not at removing metal as much.

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

Thanks...my goal was to not show off, but to show how easy it is if I can do it.

[@DwightMS1]

YM, this is great advice; thank you. I'd do one more thing. I'd rest the gun against the table or clamp in in a vise with padded jaws, while I sanded, to minimize its movement.

[@blusky7072]

So the so called "gunsmith" that I took my S&W 640-1 to to have the timing fixed which he did also in the process managed to damage the perimeter feather edge of the access side plate, creating a raised lip in several spots. So, I am in the process of removing/restoring that interface with 1000, 1500, and 2000 grit wet or dry sandpaper from the auto parts store. I've done this before when I mounted a new lower frame on a Ruger SB. The rough casting was about .030" oversize so lots of sanding on a piece of marble bought from Lowe's. You can do this if you have patience and understand the grit sizes are used to remove the previous sanding scratches. Finish with Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish on a Dremel felt tip. Good as new!

[@richardlippis9621]

Good Video. I enjoyed it. I've done this type of work on many occations in my shop. Some of you may want to try "Scotch Brite Pads". They come in a variety of grits and from my experience, it's much harder to make mistakes.

[@oasis618]

Another great video PBP!

[@GhostGL]

I just got a Ruger Wrangler today. I looked it over when I was picking it up. But then when I got home I noticed a scratch on the hammer on one side. Know shouldn't bother me but kinda does. Have to try this.

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

Sand paper is a wonderful thing.

[@TwistaLocc5633]

Great video! But have a Smith & Wesson 32 revolver and the color of it is kind of faded what should i do to restore the color?

[@Roadrider19119]

Thanks! Just removed some scratches from my Sig P230.

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

If it is laser etching, yes.

[@bigjohn3435]

a gouged screw head should be manipulated with a finely polished hammer to keep as much material in the head as possible before buffing. get some hollow ground screwdrivers or bits to prevent "slippage" in flat head screws.

[@thespiritof76..]

good job and lesson glad i watched till the end👍🏻

[@Tacticaldino813]

I know this is old but it's a helpful video thanks yankee, I'm looking at a stainless Dan Wesson pm-9 that has an idiot scratch and was researching before I bought it

[@jtankersley7]

You're the Bob Ross of gun refinishing. lol. Good video though in all seriousness.

[@roypoulos1378]

Excellent video. Thank You

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

Surprisingly, I have been told that many times before.

[@WAFFENSS69]

A craftsman at work.

[@MasterToan]

Thank you. Some good tips I wouldn't have thought of.

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

It is really easy to do once you stop being afraid to try.

[@littlemog92]

Good tips! relevant to more than firearms!

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

@razio54 synthetic steel wool.

[@leviabner0]

1st video i watched of yours subscribing

[@oOoSorrowoOo]

Ok, you kept saying buffing and polishing the gun to get rid of the scratches. there is some pitting on my pistol, i found a guy to blue it but i'm gonna be doing all the cleaning up and removing the bluing and the prep work. I'll use the best sand paper available. I DO NOT HAVE bead blasting however. how do i polish the gun before bluing it?

[@ivantheterrible8357]

Good stuff. I have a 605 that needs this.

[@redforbes]

Is it weird that this video got me a little excited?

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

Aluminum is the worst metal to repair. It needs to be recoated afterwards.

[@1anthonybrowning]

Go to an auction site like ebay or gunbroker and check there. If they don't have it, just keep an eye on it. I'm sure it will turn up before long.

[@D148521]

Thanks. Great vid. I'm getting ready to restore a shotgun and a rifle. This will help me a lot. Donnie D

[@gooztala]

Very helpful, Nice Colt!

[@TwistaLocc5633]

yeah me too, but its going to be a new learning experience for me so i hope it works out for me

[@John4566442]

DO NOT USE A RUST REMOVING COMPOUND that is made to remove rust, like Naval Jelly. A good penetrating oil, such as Kroil, will lift quite a bit of the rust off. You can lightly buff with 0000 steel wool to remove light surface rust, but don't go crazy with it. WWII era 1911A1s are parkerized. Parkerizing is a durable metal treatment that creates a rough texture that will trap oil in its pores. Lightly wipe the pistol with a oily rag to prevent rust.

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

You're welcome...

[@Judd_SC]

Looking forward to the polishing vid.

[@Flguy34698]

I would also like ot see when you polish the gun if you can post that video as well. Thanks.

[@driedb0nez88]

Is it ok to use the same technique on the surface part of the steel by the grip? And if so, what’s the best way to buff the scratch out?

[@thinkforyourselfjohn3163]

Awesome video. Thank you for sharing.

[@BobbyG3752]

How about wear marks on pistol slide ? I believe Smith and Wesson use a coating "armornite" what can I use? I use scuff pads on watch bracelets and they return to new but they aren't coated.

[@WreckTangle.]

satin brushed stainless finish Just the standard finish. Thanks for the reply!

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

Oiled down synthetic steel wool.

[@PatsRaw275]

Very informative video... Thanks for posting!

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

Oh, "moron"....for a second I thought you called me a mormon.

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

Do you have pics of the damage?

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

What finish is it?

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

Don't set your expectations high. Most of my videos are nothing like this one.

[@CEramsey88]

do you have a video of a bryco jennings model 48 .380 being restored if not would be great i have an awful crack in my slide i would love to fix. Thanks

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

What is damaged?

[@nomasklargecal5726]

Good tips, I guess. I just don't care enough. A light scratch here and there, gives it character lol

[@lugermeister1]

You say you are going tp polish the gun overall, are you going to post that process ?

[@jakemonroe51]

i just got a sig elite stainless p220. it has a couple scratches, whats the best way to work on it without ruining the finish?

[@mikelsworld74]

Great Video...Is there anyway to remove a ding on the outside of a muzzle crown? Thanks for any response.

[@Cosmicblast77]

I would love for you to find away of getting rid of lawyer tags on pistols. When they (Ruger, S&W, Beretta) Place a line like 'Read and Understand Manual before operating gun". Please, gun companies, do you actually have to write that crap on the firearm, ok, yea fear of greedy gun hating lawyers. Great polish video.

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

I wouldn't use a deremel for anything.

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

@shooby106 You should man...you don't know what a real handgun is like until you own a good revolver. :)

[@MrBulletpoints]

The fun thing about a Jennings is you never know which part will fly back toward your face next!....

[@davidspin581]

Is it normal for me to "sport wood" when polishing my Colt Gold Cup?

[@gregoryvanek9038]

It’s abnormal not to.

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

Couldn't most any of my videos?

[@GMELECTRONICS365]

I c you own a few revolvers. What is your opinion on a charter arms 2000 revolver the one that has the hammer inside ? I have a friend selling me one for 225$ it is used good condition .

[@gollygeewizard]

What are the correct tools for polishing and buffing? I couldn't find one of your videos that demonstrates this? What tools and what polishing compounds if any? thanks.

[@TwistaLocc5633]

Thanks man that helped out alot! you have a good one

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

It would fix the steel but ruin the finish.

[@colinj5291]

The Colt Magnum Carry looks suspiciously like the new Cobra that came out in 2017.

[@belbro62]

man cant wait til colt brings out its new cobra . hope you do a review ym

[@ToMaHawKfilmsPS3]

You almost said "Rubbing it in the crack..." good save... I'm surprised that wasn't caption-worthy...

[@TheYankeeMarshal]

It does...I am actually quite a slob in some aspects of my life.

[@geezerp1982]

i bet ! i would hate to see the state of your toilet in the mornings

[@hsmith3844]

Have you tried using a thin, very thin screw file as a flat to use with the sand paper. Great job