Refinishing an SKS Bolt

[Rudiger]

Hey,

So recently on cleaning my Russian SKS, the black paint on the bolt and carrier started coming off with normal Hoppe's. I decided to strip it down but it now looks like hell. The surface is smooth and shiny with no pitting. As you can see, I have most of the paint off but the resulting finish is less than great.

I am curious what my best bet is to finish it so it's more aesthetically pleasing? Bang for buck is important. I really do not want to spend a ton on a ~ $200 rifle. I am willing to put in the elbow grease but potentially would also send it out to be professionally done if the price were reasonable.

 

[DAR 701]

Get some metal polish and your dremel tool with the polishing wheel. Should cost about 8 bucks for the metal polish and take you about and hour or so if you go nice a slow. If you want to do it faster use a bench grinder with the polishing wheel.

 

[-DeerStalker-]

Use multiple grades of high grit sand paper. Work your way up to 2000 grit than hit it with a buffing wheel and compound. It should turn out super shiny. But raw steel will rust so be sure to keep a film of oil on it at all times.

I'm sure google-ing "How to polish metal" will be of much help.

 

[Spearhunter]

You only need a few bucks. I applied buffing compound and a few minutes on the dremel made it shine like silver.

 

[Curtton]

steel wire wheel attached to a drill .

 

[collector67]

I used Circa 1858 all surface stripper on my black bolt. Took the gunk off, then I broke out the Dremel and polishing compound. Turned out pretty good actually.

 

[srnm]

Go with what Collector67 said, ive done the same, it looks great