How to clean Nickel-Satin finish

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bugsy_n_blue

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I am new to satin-nickel finish. Blued and stainless steel (matte and polished) are relatively easy to clean. I am hesitant on how to clean satin-nickel for I might be exposing the finish to corrosive or abrasive chemicals. Any idea how to clean this finish? What I am currently doing is wiping the blemish out with a light solvent and coat with a very thin oil. But powder residue always appear on the surface after shooting and worst, you see your own fingerprints.

Suggestions please. :confused:
 
Ballox said:
Do you buy flitz in a bottle ? Will it work ok on bruched stainless as well ?
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Yes, I've used it on stainless steel, nickel plating, brushed steel, glossy blued steel. I use the Flitz paste that comes in a tube similar to toothpaste, I've never seen it in a bottle format but if it's the same formula it should work alright.

You don't need much to get a nice polish and it will get packed everywhere if you put too much paste. Just work you way up slowly and it can be cleaned easily if you apply too much.
 
Another vote for Flitz but it can be somewhat difficult to find. I was surprised that big chain stores (Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, Lowe's, Rhona, etc.) do not carry the product. If fact most of the store staff never even heard of the product. At least that was my experiance.
 
2Bad4u said:
Another vote for Flitz but it can be somewhat difficult to find. I was surprised that big chain stores (Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, Lowe's, Rhona, etc.) do not carry the product. If fact most of the store staff never even heard of the product. At least that was my experiance.
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Hard to find indeed. I get mine at West Marine. It can be found on ebay if no one has it in your area.
 
bugsy_n_blue said:
I am new to satin-nickel finish. Blued and stainless steel (matte and polished) are relatively easy to clean. I am hesitant on how to clean satin-nickel for I might be exposing the finish to corrosive or abrasive chemicals. Any idea how to clean this finish? What I am currently doing is wiping the blemish out with a light solvent and coat with a very thin oil. But powder residue always appear on the surface after shooting and worst, you see your own fingerprints.

Suggestions please. :confused:
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Try PEEK polish available from Canadian Tire.
 
Ballox said:
Is this stuff used to polish the finish or clean it as well ?
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It's a polisher. First you clean your firearm first as usual, then polish the residue/stained areas with Flitz. Then clean again the areas that Flitz was applied. Works great!

I find that most marina's carry Flitz.
 
acm said:
!! DO NOT use Brasso. It contains ammonia. Flitz works well, and is in the Home Hardware system, but they'll probably have to order it for you.
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I saw a listing from Home Hardware. Just not sure if they can get the Gun and Knife Care Kit. Do I really need this Gun and Knife Kit? Or just the basic Metal Polich in paste or liquid?

Also, I have a teflon based lubricant which seems to work and it dries pretty good. What I am doing now is clean the surface, apply this teflon based lubricant thinly. Remove excess and let dry. But I am worried of the minute prints left over that can't be removed. I do not want to gamble on other solvents that might discolor the finish. I might just have to wait getting FLITZ.
 
bugsy_n_blue said:
I saw a listing from Home Hardware. Just not sure if they can get the Gun and Knife Care Kit. Do I really need this Gun and Knife Kit? Or just the basic Metal Polich in paste or liquid?

Also, I have a teflon based lubricant which seems to work and it dries pretty good. What I am doing now is clean the surface, apply this teflon based lubricant thinly. Remove excess and let dry. But I am worried of the minute prints left over that can't be removed. I do not want to gamble on other solvents that might discolor the finish. I might just have to wait getting FLITZ.
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I had to look up the Gun & Knife Kit, I have no experience with either the cleaner or the wax. What I do with nickel is apply a bit of the Flitz paste, let it dry (I know it says not to let it dry, but I'm just looking to clean it, not polish it.), wipe it off, and then give it a once over with a silicone impregnated cloth. The silicone seems to work well preventing tarnishing in storage, and the nickel is still satin.

But be warned, I have used Flitz to smooth out tool marks in a stainless steel guide rod. It IS abrasive. Let the formula do its work, and don't try to polish out stains or tarnishing or you'll end up with something shinier than you're looking for. Unless you want shiny. In which case, go to town!
 
Whatever you do, though, and I can't emphasize this enough, NOTHING WITH AMMONIA. And you'll be surprised how many polishes/cleaners have ammonia in them... Check whatever solvents/bore cleaners you're using too.
 
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