[MarkDG]

Well the title pretty much says it all... I bought this gun used, and it was an excellent deal so I decided I would buy it and re-finish it if need be. In the picture it looks like it's just gunk, but it's a lot of gray splotches/stains that won't come off with solvent and a decent amount of elbow grease... It's present in all the slide serrations, but that's the only place I see it.

So, any ideas on how to get rid of it? I'm pretty sure I could send it to SA and get it refinished if it comes to that, but I would rather not, since I'm leaving town for a couple weeks and want to have it with me...

Thanks ahead of time!

 

[mbquimby]

I would try a VERY FINE piece of oiled sandpaper (like 2000 grit) wrapped around a nail file or thin piece of cardboard and see if that gets it out. It should with enough time. As long as you are careful you won't damage the finish on the slide. Even if it changes the appearance of the metal in the serrations, it will be uniform and look normal. Keep us posted.

 

[Pucknut]

Hard to tell by looking at the pictures, but have you tried some gun solvent cleaner like Hoppes or CLP with a soft brush?

 

[insatiable ONE]

If Gun Scrubber & a toothbrush wont put a dent in it.
Try a synthetic- Scotch Brite pad, and some oil.

Sanding it with some 400 only in the grooves would be ok { if you sand the slide at all, the whole slide will need to be done }

the slide is a PITA to polish to a sheen - as in it is not smooth/straight..... takes a bit of time

last resort, >media blast it<

 

[MarkDG]

Thanks for all the replies! So far I've tried several solvents and Break Free CLP along with a toothbrush, as well as a wood toothpick with zero effect. Which Scotch Brite pad would you suggest? There are several different levels of roughness aren't there?

 

[Boris]

I have seen more than a few "stainless" guns get that kind of stain after rust was removed from it. The stains wont remove because its stained. Not saying thats what happened to yours but if it is then good luck.....

Let us know if you get it fixed!!

 

[insatiable ONE]

Thanks for all the replies! So far I've tried several solvents and Break Free CLP along with a toothbrush, as well as a wood toothpick with zero effect. Which Scotch Brite pad would you suggest? There are several different levels of roughness aren't there?

I would just use the ones for dishes.
Green colored one.

The dark red and others are too harsh for the finish. It that is needed I would just sand it. Then use a oil or metal polish like mothers after you are satisfied with the results.

I use a silicone cloth to wipe all my stainless guns down. Even my one that I run with and sweat all over is spotless.

Sent from my CrackBerry using Tapatalk

 

[Kaboom]

Are you SURE it's a stainless slide, or one that has been refinished to LOOK stainless?

 

[ajamesp51]

PM sent to the OP.

 

[AZXD]

Get some Hoppes #9, put the slide in a ziplock bag, and soak it overnight.
The get crazy with a toothbrush ... Sanding/scotchbrite is a last resort, IMO.

 

[aggydaddy]

You might try a little toothpaste on it. It's a mild abrasive. If nothing works you're left with a great pistol that has some character.

 

[mbquimby]

PM sent to the OP.

Come on James, share with the rest of the class.

 

[ajamesp51]

I can shoot it with glass bead and restore the factory finish.

 

[mbquimby]

What would aluminium oxide make the finish look like on stainless?

 

[shadow_dog]

IMO, who cares? An XD is a tool, like most other pistols, not a safe queen. The blems just add character IMO. My XD sc9 is the older thin finish. It has been carried a bunch and thus looks like hell, even though it has probably less than 1k rounds thru it. I don't care because I know it will still go bang if I need it to. It has traveled many miles with me on road trips.

 

[JaydenH]

Looks like contamination. Some types of stainless steel are very pickey when it comes to coming in contact with other metals. Not sure if thats what this is but its a possibility.

 

[dougwtx]

I picked up a used one too with those kind of stains. I had spotting on the slide and the stains like yours in the serrrations although not quite as bad as your photo. I used some Kleen Brite polish and rubbed away. The spots on the slide cleaned up pretty well but it was too hard to get into the grooves but the polish did help some; probably more rubbing would clean it up.