Polish or Not to Polish

[WaltW]

A newbie has another question that i searched for with no results.
I just restrung and cleaned my D66 with Dunlop fretboard oil and body polish. It sounds great with .0115 Martin Marquis 80/20 bronze installed and it looks almost new being cleaned except for the nickel plated tuners. They are tarnished/dull and I'd like to polish clean them this something that will not scratch the plating and without having to use a buffing wheel with rouge. I am be concerned about getting any abrasive in the space between the knob and the machine gear
housing cover. Any recommendations?
housingng cover.

 

[davenumber2]

I've used this stuff before and it worked great. Inside the can is just a big wad of cotton impregnated with polish so you can tear off little pieces as needed and it won't run and accidentally gum up the gears.

 

[walrus]

Boy, I'd like to dab that on some people I know before sitting through some meetings I go to!

walrus

 

[Guildedagain]

I like the look of tarnished nickel.

Your TRC's upside down.

 

[Wilmywood]

I've used this stuff before and it worked great. Inside the can is just a big wad of cotton impregnated with polish so you can tear off little pieces as needed and it won't run and accidentally gum up the gears.

I use that as well - great product.

 

[GGJaguar]

I use that as well - great product.

Me, too. It's been around since the 1950s!

 

[Boneman]

I am be concerned about getting any abrasive in the space between the knob and the machine gear
housing cover. Any recommendations?

If you are going to clean them proper, you should remove them from the guitar altogether and thoroughly clean them before reinstalling them Will look great

 

[HeyMikey]

NeverDull is great stuff for metal. Also try a Gorgomyte polishing cloth. I use it for frets, fretboard, and tuners. Link below. I bought mine off ebay years ago.

Puchase4

 

[WaltW]

I've used this stuff before and it worked great. Inside the can is just a big wad of cotton impregnated with polish so you can tear off little pieces as needed and it won't run and accidentally gum up the gears.

I use that as well - great product.

Me, too. It's been around since the 1950s!

If you are going to clean them proper, you should remove them from the guitar altogether and thoroughly clean them before reinstalling them Will look great

NeverDull is great stuff for metal. Also try a Gorgomyte polishing cloth. I use it for frets, fretboard, and tuners. Link below. I bought mine off ebay years ago.

Puchase4

Thank you all! I forgot about Never Dull. Years ago I used it on uncoated aluminum wheels on my Jeep Rubicon. It not only removed the dirt and oxidation it slowed the oxidation process. It's a go as part of the next string change and completely removing the tuning machines is what I plan to do.. I wouldn't want to expose the Cellulose Lacquer to the chemicals and the abrasiveness.

 

[chazmo]

Has anyone investigated whether nevr-dull has silicone in it or not? Most automotive products do.

 

[FNG]

SDS

According to the MSDS, it's primarily naphtha. No mention of any silicone.

Veer....when I was in boot camp, dipping snuff was not allowed. Everyone had a can of Nevr-dull to polish brass, so we would throw out the stuff and use the can as a spit can. If someone who was somebody showed up, you could slap on the lid and go to go!

 

[davismanLV]

Has anyone investigated whether nevr-dull has silicone in it or not? Most automotive products do.

Yes. And my favorite metal polish from my horse days for stirrup irons and bits and such was Met-All. The one for aluminum and stainless steel will polish up like crazy!! But it does have silicone in it and must be washed before using in a horses mouth or installing on a guitar. So this is something to be aware of.

 

[FNG]

Not sure you can wash off a silicone product with just water...

 

[davismanLV]

Not sure you can wash off a silicone product with just water...

Nope. Soap and water for sure. Which would be why it would be great to find a polish that's not toxic to lacquer and such. I'd still wash them, tho.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

The issue with silicone is, once introduced (to a guitar, a home, a workshop, etc), how ubiquitous it tends to become. A little bit goes a long way... and keeps on going... forever. Much like a non-stick frying pan, adhesives and finishes do not want to adhere to it. If you have slathered it all over your guitar(s) and ever need repair work done on those instruments, you may be in for some depressing news.