[dulow]

I just bought a Xd-40 Sub Compact this past Monday . I took it to the range on Monday the same day I got it and shot 100 rounds through it using WWB. Got home and cleaned my gun with Break free I did use a brass brush to clean the bore I did scrub the front were the scratches are but did not scrub that hard at all and these scratches are through the paint. Was it not a good idea to use the brass brush on the outside of the gun ? Does break free if left on finish ruin gun? I did wipe the gun down before I put it away and I even used a silicone cloth on the metal also. I did not drop it are anything I only had it for no more then 3 days. What caused the deep scratches? Better yet how do I fix it/cover it up?

 

[RogueXD]

First off, breath.. I cannot see your pics since I am at work. I never use a brush on the outside of the gun. There are people on here that use breakfree all the time and no one has reported an issue. I don't use it either. Were the scratches on there before or after the cleaning?? Where was the pistol stored for transport? Someone describe the pics...

 

[dulow]

Great so breakfree is ruled out I figured that because I fallowed a video on youtube this one YouTube - Standard Gun Cleaning and Springfield XD 40 review to clean my gun and he used breakfree and said not to worry about it ruining finish. The scracthes are throughhe paint and they look like there from the brush I used but I just cant beleive it becasue I used little to no pressure it was a brass brush.

 

[crat0837]

Someone describe the pics...

The upper right hand corner on the front of the slide, next to the barrel is scratched....

If that was not there before you cleaned, I would say that there is a high likelihood that it was the brass brush that caused the problems.

As far as cleaning the residue off the front after shooting, I use patches with Hoppes #9 or Q-Tips and it everything comes off just fine even after heavy shooting.

I use CLP to "soak down" the barrel after shooting for a couple hours but have never used it on the slide before storing. I just use a silicon Gun & Reel Cloth to wipe down and protect the finish from rust.

 

[crat0837]

The scracthes are throughhe paint and they look like there from the brush I used but I just cant beleive it becasue I used little to no pressure it was a brass brush.

The finish on the gun is not paint so it wont wear, chip, or scratch like paint would. The finish is Melonite, which is a treatment of the metal that makes it resistant to scratching and rust... check out a discussion about the finish here... Melonite finish Q: [Archive] - THR

 

[agalindo]

The finish on the gun is not paint so it wont wear, chip, or scratch like paint would. The finish is Melonite, which is a treatment of the metal that makes it resistant to scratching and rust... check out a discussion about the finish here... Melonite finish Q: [Archive] - THR

Actually the black on the slide is a finish and not the melonite, it will wear off and scratch.
Don't scrub the out side of the gun with a brass brush if your going to scrub use a tooth brush. Make sure the marks are not just brass that has rubbed onto the finish. I put my keys into my gun bag and got a nice brass colored streak on my slide is used a tooth bush and hoppes to take the brass off.

 

[Metalheadisme]

Two things-

1. If I need to brush the part of firearm with finish on it, I use a nylon brush.

2. Other than that, I find that painter's cloths work great to wipe down the exterior- they are cotton t-shirt material cloths that you can get at lowes or home depot and they are really cheap for a large box of them.

 

[RogueXD]

Hey guys, is it possible that Breakfree "softend" the finish and then the brush scratched it? It does sound like it?

 

[Cuda66]

Hey guys, is it possible that Breakfree "softend" the finish and then the brush scratched it? It does sound like it?

No. I've never seen Breakfree damage any finish. And, if the XD's finish is that susceptible to a common solvent...well.

More than likely, the "scratches" are actually brass residue from the brush. Some solvent, a nylon brush, and elbow grease should remove the with no problem.

--Edit--actually, after taking a second look at the picture, he may have scrubbed the outer finish off. Oops. Looks like he may have used too much elbow grease.

I thought they were more of a brass color...but, I think it may be the lighting.

 

[dulow]

Hey guys, is it possible that Breakfree "softend" the finish and then the brush scratched it? It does sound like it?

That was my first thought also because like I said I used little pressure on it. From now though Im going use a nylon brush on the outside or a tooth brush like was suggested. But it just sucks only had it for 3 days and its already scuffed o well.

 

[dulow]

Guess Ill just pick this up then.
PISTOLGEAR | YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP FOR ALL SPRINGFIELD XD

 

[brookie0907]

Don't waste money on the touch up pen. It does not match. I have scratched the slide by manipulating the take lever without having the slide locked. Gets on your nerves, but it is a tool. I may have the slide refinished after it gets much more wear.

 

[1lowlife]

Have the slide refinished after it gets much more wear.

This is your best option.
It wasn't the cleaner, it was the brass brush.
Chock it up to a lesson learned.
If it really bothers you, get the slide refinished.
There are many options to refinishing, from hard chrome (like mine) to Durakote (I wouldn't recommend that) to cerakote, just to name a few of many.

CCR-REFINISHING
http://customizedcreationz.com/
Welcome to Springer Precision LLC - The XD/XDM Specialists

And there are several others that can refinish it for you......

Hard Chrome..

 

[T.J.]

seriously its a gun i wouldnt worry about a scratch the bad guy that gets shot will not care that there was a scratch on the gun that put him on the ground. i understand the frustration of getting that first scratch thats why when i bought my new truck back in may i deliberately scratched the paint. that way the pain was over and i got the satisfaction of putting the first scratch in it.

if it really bothers you that much get some gun Kote and refinish the slide or send it out to be done. it would make it the perfect opportunity give your new gun that personalized touch.


it does suck thought to scratch your new gun.

use a Nylon brush next time.

 

[DoubleR]

Maybe it's just the picture or maybe my eyes but those "scratches" look to me like the brass from the brush has rubbed off onto your finish. If that's the case, those marks will come right off.

 

[blueblur]

Maybe it's just the picture or maybe my eyes but those "scratches" look to me like the brass from the brush has rubbed off onto your finish. If that's the case, those marks will come right off.

This is what it looks like to me.

I know after shooting a box of ammo sometimes (depending on the ammo and brass cases) I'll see marks that look similar to those just behind the ejection port on the slide.

I "think" some oil on a patch usually removes it but it doesn't bother me when its there.

Try some oil and see if you can get it to rub out.

If not try something that will remove brass residue.

If you run your finger nail over the scratches can you actually feel the scratches? If so there isn't too much you can do other than get the slide refinished. If not, there has to be SOMETHING that can remove those scratches.

 

[ryann]

get us a better pic. it looks like brass to me...or...maybe it was rubbing up against something in the truck/car on the way home from the range???

 

[pleasantguywhopacksAXD]

If you have access to a Ultra sonic cleaner. It will remove the brass residue as well. That's what I really like about them. The only part of the gun that gets a bronze brush is the barrel on my XD's. Every thing else is just Eds Red and the US cleaner. Guns look like new with weekly shooting and cleaning.

 

[dulow]

Don't waste money on the touch up pen. It does not match. I have scratched the slide by manipulating the take lever without having the slide locked. Gets on your nerves, but it is a tool. I may have the slide refinished after it gets much more wear.

Sweet thanks for that input I will not waste my money thanks again. For the heads up.

seriously its a gun i wouldnt worry about a scratch the bad guy that gets shot will not care that there was a scratch on the gun that put him on the ground. i understand the frustration of getting that first scratch thats why when i bought my new truck back in may i deliberately scratched the paint. that way the pain was over and i got the satisfaction of putting the first scratch in it.

if it really bothers you that much get some gun Kote and refinish the slide or send it out to be done. it would make it the perfect opportunity give your new gun that personalized touch.


it does suck thought to scratch your new gun.

use a Nylon brush next time.

Yea I'm not really bothered by its just I'm pissed at myself for scratching in only 3 damn days "Live and Learn" I guess

Maybe it's just the picture or maybe my eyes but those "scratches" look to me like the brass from the brush has rubbed off onto your finish. If that's the case, those marks will come right off.

Yea I tried to clean that area again and still no go its scratched through the paint.

 

[Reborn]

For what it's worth, you could try using a LITTLE brass polish on that area. While polishing my throat, I thought I'd give it a try on a little nick on my slide to see what would happen. Turns out, the nick did disappear without "ruining" the finish. And I say "ruining" because that area is still black, but now it's somewhat reflective rather than matte-like. Give it a try, it doesn't seem like it could get any worse.

Just a thought.