I have been working on my 686 as well. its a work in process. I have a few deep marks that i might have to wet sand and polish to get them out. My gp100 has been left with that satin finish but the 686 has such a bad finish it needed something. Smith and wesson should be outright embarrassed by the finish they have been actually sending out of the factory these past few years. The satin finish on the ruger is 10x nicer than the satin finish on the smith. I call the satin finish on the smith just poor worksmanship .