Vic III reproducer clean up surprise

[antique1973]

Well, I used 0000 steel wool to clean off the black/orange oxidation on
the Vic III exhibition reproducer. Right after I did it, it looked like
nickel normally does. After I left it in a plastic bag for a few days
(waiting on parts) it appears to have "transformed itself into gold" or
at least take on a gold hue. Any ideas on what is happening here guys?

[Zeppy]

My guess is that it's worn down to the brass...but why it didn't look brass once you cleaned it off, I have no idea

[Boyle6]

Does the inside of the reproducer, the area with the writing, look gold or black. The reproducer for my old Victrola XIV is gold and the inside has a gold or brass hue. All of my other Exhibitions which are nickle have a black interior. If yours is black, I suspect that is it just worn down to the brass. If not, it may be a gold reproducer. I have to admit, it looks really good to be worn to the brass. I would think it would show pitting not such a smooth looking surface.

[Tinkerbell]

Personally, I think it's the leprechauns that turned it to gold... Oh no, wait... what happened to my pixie dust?? It seems to be missing... Hmmmmm

[antique1973]

My guess is that it's worn down to the brass...but why it didn't look brass once you cleaned it off, I have no idea

Yeah it looked like antique nickel when I cleaned it, nothing out of the ordinary. I wish
I had a picture of it right after I cleaned it to show the difference. If its brass underneath
than that would likely explain it. In any case it looks worlds better than it did. I thought it was pitted beyond repair.

[antique1973]

Does the inside of the reproducer, the area with the writing, look gold or black. The reproducer for my old Victrola XIV is gold and the inside has a gold or brass hue. All of my other Exhibitions which are nickle have a black interior. If yours is black, I suspect that is it just worn down to the brass. If not, it may be a gold reproducer. I have to admit, it looks really good to be worn to the brass. I would think it would show pitting not such a smooth looking surface.

The interior is black so it should be a nickle ring. I may have went overboard with the 0000 but the nickel was pretty well shot anyways. I will find out for sure if the brass starts to tarnish.

[antique1973]

Personally, I think it's the leprechauns that turned it to gold... Oh no, wait... what happened to my pixie dust?? It seems to be missing... Hmmmmm

It was definitely a surprise today Tinkerbell. I was like... WTF? Its gold!!!


I will give you your pixie dust back shortly, I have some blocks of lead I need to convert first
however.