Fingernail Scratches on Chrome?

[SurferJoe46]

An oddball observation here:::

I've got a few MIM Fenders, a few MII Squiers and an Affinity MIC.

I noticed that my fingernails make scratches on the chrome - especially the bridges and I don't have anything special as far as fingernails go, so this is kinda perplexing.

Does anyone else see any scratching showing up on their control panels - and part two of my question: is the true Fender chrome any better than MIM or MII of even MIC control panels?

If one were to look here, one could see the scratching I'm talking about:::



That's just fingernail scratches there! Really! I'm anal enough to want to make it go away.

[Growly Lytes]

Ive got the same on my Cort Punisher on the Bridge Cover.Its got little swearl marks from my hands.
Can it be removed ?

[SurferJoe46]

^^ I don't think so. I'll be buying some new chromed hardware as I see it.

[C.Linton]

I'm not sure if it would help, but you could maybe look for chrome polish in an auto parts store
BTW, Joe, I really done't think there's much you can do to prevent scratches like that unless you never touch your controls again, it's gonna happen again, replacing it with a new plate would be a waste of money. Try the chrome (or other metal polish like Brasso) polish first at least.

[SurferJoe46]

Cliff - you know how I feel about RW - even if I am causing it myself.

I really wonder if the Fender parts are a better type of chrome. But, yeah - I gotta find something to take these scratches out.

[Bassamatic]

Chrome is very hard - It is difficult to think that it can be scratched by fingernails.

There may be a clear coat on top of the chrome that is getting scratched, and if so, it should be able to be polished out with chrome or auto polish, and then put a good coat of polymer auto polish on the whole instrument, double on the chrome for protection.

[SurferJoe46]

Yeah - that's what I thought - well, that and the possibility that this chrome is softer than other chrome applications.

I have an extra Jazz Bass control panel so I'll experiment with it for a coating or whatever.

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by Bassamatic

There may be a clear coat on top of the chrome that is getting scratched...

+1

When you try to polish light weight stuff, you usually end up creating more swirls, IME.

I used to obsess over swirls on my cars but now just polish enough to make them look good in normal lighting.

I use Gel Gloss liquid or aerosol to polish glass, aluminum, chrome and some hard plastic/vinyl to reduce swirls/scratches.
Test in an inconspicuous area first.