Aluminum swirl marks

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

Can anyone recommend a way to remove the very light scratches and swirl marks from polished aluminum? In some light my endplates are like mirrors but from a different angle you can see there are actually a lot of superficial blemishes. Is there safe technique and product for restoring the factory fresh surface? I use 'Mother's' aluminum polish which gives a great shine but it doesn't remove the faint swirl marks.

Bill Ford · From: Graniteville SC Aiken

Bill,
Unless you're familure with the buffing process, I would advise taking it to a shop that specializes in aluminum work,maybe a local machine shop could recomend someone. You will need to remove the parts to be polished. Before you take anything apart, I would take the guitar, and show them what you have, and explain what you want.

Bill F

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Bill,
Before you start with the polising compound, you need to go over the surface with very fine, wet sand paper. This is to level the surface and remove the scratches. After that you can have at it with the posishing compound.
Erv

Willis Vanderberg · From: Petoskey Mi

Before you do anything else, try Semichrome polish. It takes a little elbow grease but it will take out swirls and light scratches.
Do a small area at a time and rub in a circular motion.Then buff with a clean cloth. Tee shirt or athletic sock works good.

Larry Hamilton · From: Amarillo,Tx

Semichrome is really good, just be sure to use light pressure and stop when the applicater STARTS turning black. Wipe off the black and re-apply if necessary.
I currentlly use Emmons aluminum polish with great results using the above technics. I usually lightly polish when I change strings, when ever that may be. Usually every couple months or so. Jagwires last a long time. Hope this might help.

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Keep pickin', Larry

Earnest Bovine · From: Los Angeles CA USA

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

I think I'll try and find some of the SemiChrome and try that first. I wouldn't go so far as to dismantle the guitar and have a professional job done because it isn't that bad at all. In fact, to look at it most people would probably wonder what the fuss is about. It's just that I'd like to keep it looking as new as possible. Thanks for the input.
Just out of curiosity, what number sandpaper would you have to use to be fine enough for that type of work?

[This message was edited by Bill Miller on 22 February 2005 at 06:38 PM.]

Bobby Boggs · From: Upstate SC.

Bill, if the swirl marks were in the aluminum when it left the factory you'll never get em out with SemiChrome.At least I've never been able to.The sand paper thing sounds interesting.Will this remove buffer tracks??

Wouldn't it be great if all builders polished their guitars like Zum??

Arnie Craig · From: Bastrop, Texas, USA

bill for a job like you speaking of i would use a very fine emery cloth or crocus cloth to remove small scratches in alum.sand paper will remove too much and be harder to polish back to a glossy or shinney finish.good luck arnie

Don Poland · From: Hanover, PA.

Bill, you might try a local motorcycle shop for the semichrome. Years ago I had a harley and the local dealer sold semichrome. I assume they still use this stuff for all those pretty bikes

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1974 MSA D10 7+4

Winnie Winston · From: Tawa, Wellington, NZ * R.I.P.

query:
"Just out of curiosity, what number sandpaper would you have to use to be fine enough for that type of work? "

Sandpaper is too coarse-- almost all grades. I've always taken the aluminum down to a 600 wet and dry, followed by a buffing.

JW

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

Your search will go easier if you look for "Simichrome" rather than "Semichrome", cause that's what it's called.

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

Well I found the Simichrome product online but it looks like it won't be easy to find locally or even in Canada...probably have to order it. The stuff doesn't seem to have a big presence in the market.
I think I'll hold off on anything more drastic for fear of doing damage since I lack experience with this type of work. In most light the aluminum looks great anyways. We rehearse in our bass players garage/workshop which has fluorescent lighting....that's where I really notice the swirls and scratches, not just on the endplates but on the aluminum neck between the pickup and fretboard. It's hardly noticeable with incandescent light. I'm still going to work at it though...but not with anything too agressive. Thanks again for the input.

Per Berner · From: Skovde, Sweden

There is a similar European brand that I am certain is sold in many countries all over the world, called Autosol, sold in every auto parts store and gas station I've ever been to. It's been around for like 50 years and is perfect for chrome, aluminum and even gelcoat and lacquer polishing. Probably the same stuff as Simichrome.

Jim Peters · From: St. Louis, Missouri, USA, R.I.P.

You can order simichrome from Scotty's music in St. Louis.JP

Glenn Austin · From: Montreal, Canada

Bill, I've purchased SimiChrome in Montreal at Rona Hardware on Notre Dame street. What also works really good is Mothers Mag polish, available at ( where else! )Canadian Tire.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

You can use "MAAS" polish - it looks and works exactly like Simichrome. Wallgreen's carry it (and occasionally put it on sale).

For non-abrasive, I use Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish. It works like Simichrome, except it's not abrasive.

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

I checked out Scotty's website...they have the Simichrome but they don't ship outside the U.S.
Glenn, we have a Rona store here so I'll have a look. I'm already using the 'Mother's' aluminum polish and it gives a great shine but it doesn't get rid of those feathery scratch marks....or hasn't in my case. But Bobby Boggs says the Simichrome won't do that either.

[This message was edited by Bill Miller on 23 February 2005 at 11:13 AM.]

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

When I refinished my Stringmaster, I think I ordered sandpaper as fine as #1200. You use this wet.

Erv

Roger Crawford · From: Griffin, GA USA

Simichrome is available from Carter Guitars. Give 'em a look-see. Tell them I sent you!
Roger

Earnest Bovine · From: Los Angeles CA USA

On my changer fingers, I use 600 sandpaper, then 1500 sandpaper, then "Nevr-dull magic wadding polish" which I assume is the same as Simichrome.

richard burton · From: Britain

Why not deliberately sand it with fairly coarse grit, in a swirling motion, leaving a dull matt finish. It's a job that only has to be done once, freeing up valuable time.
R B

Bill Ford · From: Graniteville SC Aiken

richard,
I tried that, or beadblasting. That did'nt look as good as polished.

As for sandpaper, 1500/2000 grit wet-r-dry, but you're starting over doing that, I'd try semichrome, or leave it alone if you don't go with a professional buffer.

Bill

Dave Grothusen · From: Scott City, Ks

Hey Bill, all things age. With objects they call it "patina" with old steel players there are many names for it. There is nothing wrong with wanting to keep your guitar looking like new, so go ahead and shine it occasionally. However you may want to leave a ding or two in it for old times sake. Like "I remember the night I got that scratch" or "WOW I was really cook'n that time I melted the finish in that spot". I have a mark or two on the finish of mine that I do not know how they got there but I sure would not want to refinish the guitar to get rid of them. It is that first scratch or two or ding on a brand new guitar that hurts, after that it is PATINA. Probably not worth tearing down the guitar for.
That is my 2 cents worth, and by the way Simichrome is good stuff.

Ron ! · Posted 23 Feb 2005 3:07 pm

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