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Polishing Aluminum: Simichrome vs Mothers?
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The Steel Guitar Forum
Pedal Steel Archive
Polishing Aluminum: Simichrome vs Mothers?
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This topic was originally posted in this forum: Pedal Steel |
| Author | Topic: Polishing Aluminum: Simichrome vs Mothers? |
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Jim Cohen Member Posts: 8715 |
posted 10 May 1999 05:00 AM
I've been getting some conflicting advice about using Simichrome to polish endplates, legs, aluminum neck, etc. I've heard it said that it's too coarse and will make things worse, not better, but others say they've used it successfully. Some swear by Mothers, but I haven't found any of that locally, and I have Simichrome in the house. Should I be afraid (very afraid) to use it, and keep lookin' for Mothers? Or something else? Thanks, Jim |
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Jack Stoner Sysop Posts: 8119 |
posted 10 May 1999 07:58 AM
Jim, the two products are similar. Semichrome is slightly abrasive, where Mother's is not abrasive. You can get Mother's at Wal-Mart, some K-Marts and most auto supply stores. I use both. If you have some very fine scratches or marks the semichrome will usually take it out. If there's no scratches but you just want to clean it up then Mother's works well. Paul Franklin (Sr) told me he uses both for polishing. He uses the Semichrome first and then finishes with Mother's. For years most many Steel builders used Semichrome only. There's a lot of other products on the market that will probably work. These two I know about.
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Chris Schlotzhauer Member Posts: 1217 |
posted 10 May 1999 09:01 AM
I got Mother's at an auto supply. I have some scratches. Where do I get Semichrome? |
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Earnest Bovine Member Posts: 4687 |
posted 10 May 1999 09:03 AM
I have a jar of stuff called Nevr-dull magic wadding polish. Is that similar? Do Simichrome and Mother's come with wadding? [This message was edited by Earnest Bovine on 05-10-99] |
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Jim Cohen Member Posts: 8715 |
posted 10 May 1999 09:04 AM
Thanks, Jack. Chris, it's called Simichrome, and I find it at most hardware stores around here. No wadding included. [This message was edited by Jim Cohen on 05-10-99] |
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road runner unregistered Posts: 8715 |
posted 10 May 1999 01:50 PM
Jim.Iuse a product called mida's touch cream, it works good and you just use a dab, one tube will last a long time, i got mine at pier1 imports.later don |
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Jack Stoner Sysop Posts: 8119 |
posted 10 May 1999 03:08 PM
Also most of the motorcycle shops carry simichrome. The bikers use it to polish the chrome. Mother's is also a cream. It's original intent was for mag and aluminum wheels. I've never had much luck with the wadding type polishes.
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John Rickard Member Posts: 839 |
posted 11 May 1999 12:30 AM
If you can find it , try Flitz, it comes in a gray tube with blue lettering. I found it at a hardware store, it's hard to beat. JR ------------------
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Herb Steiner Member Posts: 6119 |
posted 11 May 1999 06:28 AM
You mean you can POLISH these things? Seymour told me it was easier just to replace the necks and endplates! He allowed as how it was a little costlier, but worth it. We pay for our education, I guess. ------------------ |
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Chris Schlotzhauer Member Posts: 1217 |
posted 11 May 1999 08:00 AM
Wadding? Flitz? |
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Jim Cohen Member Posts: 8715 |
posted 11 May 1999 12:58 PM
Yes, Herb, you can polish them. Also, when the strings go dead, you don't have to throw the guitar away anymore. You can just buy a new set of strings and put them on the old guitar. I'm surprised Bobbe didn't 'splain that to you. But hey, man, there's no secrets between us. Try it, you'll like it! 
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Jim Cohen Member Posts: 8715 |
posted 11 May 1999 07:50 PM
Went into a motorcyle dealership today and found they sold Mother's Mag polish. But the guy told me that although Mother's is real good, he said another brand, "Wizards" is definitely better and "the best thing since sliced bread" and requires much less elbow grease compared to Mothers. I bought a can of it, but haven't tried it yet. Have any of you had any experience with it? If so, do tell! thanks, jc |
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