XD Talk

XD45Auto · 03-24-2007, 03:57 PM

I have recieved quite a few PM's asking how I polished my barrel so...here it goes!

Before I give instructions I want to warn you that you are taking the finish off of your barrel. without proper cleaning/oiling it may or may not be more prone to rusting. Do at your own risk!

I started by wet sanding the finish off of the barrel with 600 grit 3M wet or dry sand paper, it will leave it with a dull chrome look. I then did the same with 1000 grit 3M wet or dry paper, and then again with 2000 grit. Starting to get pretty shiny! I finished it off with 3M polishing compound (used for buffing paint on cars), to give it the mirror finish. I got all of these materials at an auto body supply store. I feel that 3M products work better than others but that is just my opinion...

When you are wet sanding just fill a 5gal. bucket or your sink with water. keep the sand paper saturated. You can even dip the barrel in the water to clean it off. When you are done make sure you get it thoroughly dry and oil the hell out of it, inside and out. Make sure you keep it oiled lightly and you shouldn't have any problems. From start to finish it take 3-4 hours (I was pretty tedious, you can probably do it inan hour or two), I did it while watching t.v. haha!

Here is mine

do0dfromcali · 03-25-2007, 03:34 AM

I thought it was bad to polish the tip of the barrell because if it's worn down uneven, it will diminish the accuracy?

But it does look good.

CopeyXD · 04-12-2007, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by do0dfromcali

I thought it was bad to polish the tip of the barrell because if it's worn down uneven, it will diminish the accuracy?

But it does look good.

+ 1 on the looks. any idea on this question? anyone?

XD45Auto · 04-12-2007, 08:56 PM

The accuracy of the gun wasn't compromised in my case. I guess if you over did the polishing it could happen.

CopeyXD · 04-12-2007, 09:34 PM

thanx! just may have to try it!

**Hwkeye** · 04-12-2007, 09:39 PM

Yeah... it seemed like you stopped in the right place, the bullet will not touch the shiny part anyway, it will not affect it unless you start polishing on the INSIDE of it.

**Hwkeye** · 04-12-2007, 09:40 PM

I like it, i am really thinking about doing that to my SC40 Olive Drab... I think it would look sharp, what do you think??

bountyhunter · 04-12-2007, 09:58 PM

I prefer to wet sand steel using a light oil.

I take motor oil and thin it with mineral spirits, and apply that to the surface.

It seems to get shinier faster.