Gold harware maintenance?

Gaetano Paul · #1 01-20-2010, 11:55 PM

Is there a way to maintain the nice gold finish on gold tuners etc, or are they all doomed to tarnish????????????????????

Mazatleco17 · #2 01-21-2010, 12:30 AM

I truly believe they're doomed, but I could be wrong.

JimmyKickButt · #3 01-21-2010, 12:34 AM

don't know from experience. But I'd imagine that some sort of brass, silver, or chrome polish would do the trick.

mikeldtl · #4 01-21-2010, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyKickButt

don't know from experience. But I'd imagine that some sort of brass, silver, or chrome polish would do the trick.

Dear god no. These things will only help you REMOVE the gold from your hardware. Quickly. The best method is hot breath and a microfiber cloth to buff it out. As far as I know.... gold doesn't tarnish anyways??

JimmyKickButt · #5 01-21-2010, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeldtl

Dear god no. These things will only help you REMOVE the gold from your hardware. Quickly. The best method is hot breath and a microfiber cloth to buff it out. As far as I know.... gold doesn't tarnish anyways??

If gold doesn't tarnish than i would imagine that the hardware isn't truly gold coated. the are mostly likely brass, which, I'm pretty sure, will tarnish. If hot breath and micro-fiber, which i was assuming you already tried, doesn't work. I reiterate my original suggestion. you won't remove 'gold' from the hardware with a soft polish.

Georynn · #6 01-21-2010, 12:52 AM

I've had good results using a very small amount of toothpaste and a soft, wet cloth.

JimmyKickButt · #7 01-21-2010, 12:53 AM

case in point, toothpaste is a very fine polish.

mikeldtl · #8 01-21-2010, 12:58 AM

I only caution from using any sort abrasive on true gold hardware, on which the plating is very, very thin. Trust me - Ive been that guy and taken plating off with a few swipes and some Flitz back before I knew better. If we are talking brass by all means hit it with a good polish. I would recommend sealing it with a good carnuaba wax to prevent/ slow oxidization in the future. There are some simple solutions, I once used lemon juice to bring up the shine on some brass bullet casings and it did work quite well...

JimmyKickButt · #9 01-21-2010, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeldtl

I only caution from using any sort abrasive on true gold hardware, on which the plating is very, very thin. Trust me - Ive been that guy and taken plating off with a few swipes and some Flitz back before I knew better. If we are talking brass by all means hit it with a good polish. I would recommend sealing it with a good carnuaba wax to prevent/ slow oxidization in the future. There are some simple solutions, I once used lemon juice to bring up the shine on some brass bullet casings and it did work quite well...

+1 with the lemon juice.

Gaetano Paul · #10 01-21-2010, 08:06 AM

Well the hardware is on my 09 Sheraton II, so I am going to assume its not real gold plating? But even with the real stuff, I just looked at a possible purchase of the high end Sr1200, and the hardware, gold plated, looked terrible. The bass was from the 90's? Looked more like the new platinum chrome Ibanez puts on the SRX etc.

Widdershins · #11 01-21-2010, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeldtl

Ive been that guy and taken plating off with a few swipes and some Flitz back before I knew better.

Yup... been there. These platings are INCREDIBLY thin.

Do NOT use any polish.

Your best bet is to just wipe down with a microfiber rag to remove any oils/etc... basically, just try your best to keep it clean AND your hands clean. You have very tiny abrasive particles on your hands right now that you can't even see.

Over time these will wear away your _____plated finishes.

I have a trumpet plated in silver & gold that, for 95% of the time is wrapped with leather valve protectors and has clear tape pads where my skin touches the instrument. Yeah, it looks ugly but the horn still works. I only remove these for performances... you know... to impress people I don't even know.

Anyway, Gold/Silver hardware is all about the "BLING"... unfortunately it's not terribly practical.

Gaetano Paul · #12 01-21-2010, 08:33 AM

mech · #13 01-21-2010, 03:21 PM

I use cotton pads (like the wife/GF use for makeup) and rubbing alcohol to clean and then buff with a little mineral oil to protect.
Another vote for no polish.
Never use Never Dull or similar product. It'll take the gold right off.
mech

Pilgrim · #14 01-21-2010, 04:54 PM

The tarnish is part of the vintage process. VERY desirable, makes the instrument appreciate steadily.

The vintage wear-in process can be accelerated by dragging the instrument up and down the driveway to cause finish damage.

Or so it seems, according to some....