I’ve been wanting to do some contouring of different parts of my polymer pistols (Glock and Hk). Which tools are you using with the most success to remove material while leaving a smooth surface behind?

No such tool. You will remove the material in whatever manner you choose, usually a dremel or sandpaper, and then you will have to go back over that area with something smoother until it is the appearance you prefer.

However you remove material basically will look "rough" compared to stock. This appearance is improved by sanding or using eraser blocks (not erasers per se but those fine sanding things).

Some have said that a fine oiling afterwards takes down the whiteness and looks better. Google and you will see many methodologies.

I wish there was a one step way to do it but I am not aware of any.

Good luck, measure twice cut once, take your time, you can't put anything back, never look directly at the sun, etc. etc. Post pics when done.

I removed the finger grooves on my G19(3gen)...
Then I stippled the entire front strap with a soldering iron.
Then it was perfect.

Then Glock pushed out two more generations...guess they figured out the finger groove thing.

So I didn’t have to sand it to plastic goodness, I’d remove the area that is bothering you with a dremel or sand paper and then maybe try just running a lighter over the area to smooth out the sanded area.


REMEMBER, less is more, it’s real easy to remove more material, but there is no way to put it back. Take your time. Sand a little and then try the heat to see how it goes, if it doesn’t work try a different procedure before you have removed up all the material you want.

Traded into a Gen2 G22 for cheap. It needed to be destippled and refinished. Dremeled the stuff off and rounded off the trigger guard. Painted the deeper stipple holes and sanded it all down. Looks good on a carbine.

A Dremel, sandpaper, patience, and a soldering iron would just about cover your plasticity of plastic.

I took off the dingus on the lower front strap of my 19x so I could run gen5 mags. Dremel, and while far from mangled, looks were not my biggest concern. Tools get used and modified. All my guns have scratches and wear marks. Like crows feet, they add "character".

I do Dremel for moving the big stuff, progressively higher sand paper or files to get it the rest of the way and meguiars polishing compound to buff it. Gives it a finished look.

I've heard fine sand paper (600+ grit) + a little spray of WD-40 does wonders in removing the white plastic appearance and restore the original color of the polymer. No idea why, but I tried it on my gray P940C frame and it worked.

quote:

usually a dremel or sandpaper,

I only use a LOW SPEED cordless Dremel with sanding drums. My corded Dremel on lowest speed is just too fast, causing slips to magnify.

Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll give it a try this weekend and post pictures of the finished product or pictures from the ER.