Polish for hardware on an Ibanez SR506, please help!

BassMan7530 · #1 09-03-2009, 02:40 PM

I have had a problem with the Hardware on my Ibanez SR506; there's discoloration on the tuning pegs (some grey on areas with light wear, but some spots are badly tarnished to a purple/blue color), my bridge has some light wear (but nothing to severe) and the volume and blend knobs appear to be smudged and 'foggy' looking (the 3 EQ knobs look perfectly normal, though

). I can't find any information on the hardware whatsoever, so I am hoping someone here can help me out.

Today I went to an AutoZone and purchased something I thought would work. It's 'Mothers' Mag & Aluminum Polish. It says 'Perfect For All Metals' right under the name, but on the back of the container, it says 'Not recommended for gold plating, chrome, anodized, painted, or coated metals'. I probably should have read the entire label before I purchased it, but I've really been sick of this problem with my hardware, so I purchased it somewhat on impulse.

Anyways, bottom line: Does anyone know anything about this product, how it works for them, or know how it would react to the hardware on my 506? Even information regarding what the hardware is made of would be really helpful (wether it is Chrome, coated, plated, etc), and would enable me to find a product I can be sure will work.

I appreciate any advice anyone can offer me, thank in advance for the help!
Brian

PaulNYC · #2 09-03-2009, 02:53 PM

simichrome is great for chrome. I used to use it on my motorcycle.

try anything in a hidden place.

BassMan7530 · #3 09-03-2009, 03:02 PM

I actually forgot to mention, Simichrome is the only product I've tried for such a problem before, and it worked brilliantly. I just have trouble finding any. Any particular store that you know stocks it?

PaulNYC · #4 09-03-2009, 03:42 PM

try a harley davidson dealer

BassMan7530 · #5 09-03-2009, 03:45 PM

Sounds great, thanks for the help!

BassMan7530 · #6 09-04-2009, 11:54 AM

Any other advice anyone can offer, particularly concerning the product I mentioned?

VroomVroom · #7 09-04-2009, 03:32 PM

I'm not familiar with your bass, but if you can share a pic I can make a reasonably informed guess about the material. (My guess would be that we're talking about a plating of some sort, at least on the bridge & tuners.)

Simichrome is great, and there are many other terrific polishes out there as well. Almost all of these - including the Mother's polish you bought - work chemically. There are some platings that react badly to these products, and the interaction will leave discoloration or staining. The alternative it to use an abrasive polish. Meguiar's Scratch-X is a good example, and usually a great starting point...most anything else you'll find over the counter at a local parts store will be TOO abrasive (i.e. "rubbing compound").

My guess, and not to sound overly cynical, is that the damage you're seeing may not be repairable. Based on your description it sounds like pieces that have been plated in an inexpensive fashion are reacting with environmental conditions (such as sweat). That said, it doesn't hurt to take a shot at polishing to see if you can make an improvement. Good luck...

BassMan7530 · #8 09-04-2009, 09:26 PM

Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure If I will be able to get a picture, but perhaps you can find another picture of one somewhere else, I don't have access to a digital camera, unfortunetly.

(As for the damage not being repairable, I was able to resolve the problem with Simichrome without any problems. When I used it, it left the tuning machines lookin' brand new.)

Actually, I returned the Mother's polish today; I was a bit too spooked to use it, as I thought I would have a better bet checking out a local Harley Davidson dealer for a different product. I went there, and bought a tube of this product that an employee told me was very similar to Simichrome (no specific name, it's just 'Harley Bright Metal Polish')in terms of what it would and wouldn't work on, and Simichrome worked absolutely flawlessly the one time I had the chance to try it. I am thinking this will work out allright as a supplement...

...But the employee also told me that they are getting a new shipment of Simichrome in next week. I'm thinking perhaps I will return the product I bought today just to be extra safe and wait on the Simichrome, but If I know for a fact it will work just as efficiently as Simichrome, I wouldn't mind keeping it.

I really want to try this Harley product, but If I do it now and I don't get desirable results, I will be upset that I rushed it only to find dissapointment. I really don't want to wait a week to get the Simichrome, but If I have to in order to guarentee good results, then I will. What would you suggest? Any experience with Harley polishing products?

JustDavid · #9 09-04-2009, 09:36 PM

It's a week, maybe 2 before you can get the stuff you know has worked in the past? And the tarnishing has been very slowly increasing for how long?

I'd await definite word that the Harley stuff (or it's chemical equivalent) has worked fine in the past before choosing it over a slightly-delayed successful product.

BassMan7530 · #10 09-04-2009, 09:48 PM

You do bring up very good points, David. Actually, just now I had tested a bit of that stuff on my bass, and it works just as well as the Simichrome (I just couldn't stand waiting, I really wanted to find out if this stuff worked as well). Same color, same consistency, same results and everything. Although this stuff works just as efficiently, I think I will still stick to Simichrome in the future. Thanks for the advice though, I really appreciate everyone's help.