The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I did a thread search on this and only found one topic recommending McGuires Scratch X 2.0. I Googled it and it describes it as "slightly abrasive" which sort of scares me off it. I have a nearly perfect maroon Gem with hardly any scratches and nearly perfect striping. I don't want to ruin the striping. I think it just needs some cleaning of the grime and dirt from it's nearly century of existence. I just want to brighten it up.

Would a car polish do?

Any suggestions please?

Thanks.

Marty

Mr. Bufalini:

You probably don't want to use a car polish on your GEM. A car polish has abrasives in it. You will want a wax instead. Perhaps a cleaning wax should do.

Or, what I would do, is a solution of Dawn dish detergent, lukewarm water, and soft linen or cotton handkerchiefs. That works well cleaning 1920s typewriter paint--and they have some out-there decals like our phonographs as well as a shellac clearcoat.

Someone better informed will likely chime in.

I've had success with mcguiers scratch X 2.0. I use it on Edison bedplates, first by rubbing it in with a cotton cloth and following up with a fine polishing cloth, but any soft cloth will do.

Martin

McGuiers ScratchX 2.0 is not abrasive. I also have a beautiful maroon Gem and used it on that machine as well as all my others. I have found nothing better than it yet. Here are some examples.

Rich Gordon

I'll add another recommendation for McGuier's ScratchX 2.0. Here's a maroon Gem in the condition it was found, and after treatment with McGuier's. Click twice on images to enlarge.)

George P.

BEFORE: AFTER: BEFORE: AFTER: BEFORE: AFTER:

Beautiful outcome George. McGuier’s ScratchX 2.0 is the best thing I’ve found.

Rich Gordon

Great info. I recently acquired a maroon Gem that could use a gentle cleaning.

rgordon939 wrote:Beautiful outcome George. McGuier’s ScratchX 2.0 is the best thing I’ve found.

Rich Gordon

Thanks Rich - I agree. It's a very good product. Sometimes I apply a coat of Johnson's Paste Wax (the old-fashioned kind in the yellow can) as a final step after the McGuier's. It all depends on the condition of the paint.

George P.

Ok. McGuires it is. And it doesn't hurt the decals? I assume it will also clean/brighten all bedplates?

Thanks for all the advice.

Marty,

No matter what product you use, just take it easy when rubbing over a stripe or decal. After each and every pass of your polishing rag, evaluate the decal/stripe for any degradation or loss. Stop immediately at any sign of loss.