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How to Polish Gun Metal

Gun metal can become tarnished and used looking after a very short time. The material requires regular maintenance and polishing to ensure that the firearm works safely and effectively. Regular and proper polishing also helps your firearm retain its value. All materials needed to polish gun metal are available at online or local retailers where guns and gun products are sold.

Things You'll Need

Sandpaper
Cleaning cloth
Small air compressor
Gun metal polish

Instructions

- 1
  Unload your gun and remove all magazines where bullets can be stored. Turn on the safety on your firearm.
- 2
  Remove all tarnish and burrs using 220-grit sandpaper. To sand flat firearm pieces and square barrels, wrap the sandpaper around a file or other solid and square piece of wood or rubber. To sand round parts of the firearm, hold a strip of sandpaper by its ends and remove burrs and tarnish by moving the sandpaper back and forth across the surface in a fashion similar to shining shoes. Repeat the process and progress to finer-grit sandpaper until you have achieved the shine and luster you desire.
- 3
  Use a small air compressor to remove all dust and debris left from the sanding process. Move the air hose nozzle around the firearm, focusing on small parts and areas with screws and other areas that you are not able to clean with cloth and polish.
- 4
  Wipe down the firearm using a soft cleaning cloth.
- 5
  Apply and remove gun metal polish, following manufacturer's recommendations. You may need to allow the polish to sit on the metal for a specific amount of time.
- 6
  Remove the polish with a cloth and buff the firearm with another dry, soft cleaning cloth.

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