Mr. Bill, Mr. Bill!

smbrown · « **on:** 26 Jul 2009, 08:42 pm »

Mr. Bill (or anyone else who can answer) I have a PAS 3x and the small knobs look pretty bad - kind of darkened and gray compared to the larger knobs. These fit fluted shafts, not set screw type. Any suggestions on cleaning? I tried Wright's Silver Cream and a tooth brush. Not much better.

Wayner · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Jul 2009, 09:37 pm »

As you may or may not know, aluminum can also "rust". It's called oxidation. If the surface isn't too pitted up, I've found an aluminum cleaner that makes my AR turntable platter ring shine like a bastard. It's called Flitz polish for metal and plastic. I got mine at Ace hardware, but not sure if all Ace hardwares stock the same stuff.

Wayner

srb · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Jul 2009, 09:41 pm »

The best cleaner/polish I have ever used is Happich Simichrome (Germany).
http://www.competitionchemicals.com/

However, it could be that after all this time, the plating is just worn off, or that it has undergone a chemical change.

Steve

mr_bill · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Jul 2009, 10:00 pm »

You rang??

(I couldn't resist)

Bill Thomas · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Jul 2009, 10:04 pm »

I generally try to stick with the less abrasive cleaners. This is why I tend to try Wright's first. While Wright's *does* have a VERY slight abrasive added, it is the chemical reaction that actually does the bulk of the "renewal."

You mentioned that the knobs are gray. This indicates the plating has worn through. You are seeing the underlying "pot metal" or "white metal" the knobs are cast from. (Like the parking light housing on a '53 Buick.) Give the Wright's another shot, but allow the polish to contact the surface for 5 to 10 minutes. This allows the chemical time to de-oxidize the part. You can also try Tarn-X and follow it up with a good polishing using Wright's. If this doesn't work, you're *probably* in need of new knobs.

By the way, both Flitz and Simichrome paste are OUTSTANDING products. For plated products, they tend to work EXTREMELY well *if* the plating is intact. If it is worn away, they can also polish the underlying metal, but this *might* not be as aesthetically pleasing. Then again, it might.

Hope this helps a bit.

Bill