Hi big open! The beads do not remove any metal but it will leave a fine matt finish unless you finish the prep with some type of sanding or buffing? It is hard to overdo by hand, but can ruin a part in a few seconds if done on a buffing wheel or a wire wheel? I leave it all matt amd just polish the high spots or flat surfaces just like they originally did. It won't remove any of the machining marks, even the smallest mark is just about impossible to remove by hand.. A P.38 would be pretty easy as a big percentage of the frame is covered by the grips? And the slide surfaces are pretty much flat as well... The barrel will be a combination of polish, (barrel tube, and matt, chamber area) It won't be perfect! Gunsmiths spend decades trying to master the finish application. But, it will be nice. Better than lipstick on a pig! Especially when you add earrings and pearls!
Best to you, til.....lat'r.....GT...
