The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Did anyone ever try a piece of aluminum foil and water? It works if it just a light cleaning.

It works great on rusted non plated parts too.

JerryVan wrote: Fri Jan 31, 2025 11:31 am VERY nice work on the top.

As to material removal, Steel Wool vs. Brasso, the steel wool can dull or even scratch the plating, while Brasso, or similar, have far less abrasive qualities and should remove only the oxide layer, i.e. tarnish. I will admit however to using fine steel wool with super heavy, caked on, crust type of oxidation. Not much to lose there.

Thank you for your kind words! The cigarette burn still shows a little especially on camera, the heat must have hardened the wood and it wouldn't absorb much stain. In hindsight I should have used touch-up wood markers but I'm a novice and furniture refinishing and have a lot to learn.

And you are right about the steel wool. That is why I asked here because I didn't want to make any mistakes. Not sure why I didn't think of using a metal polish before!

DanP58 wrote: Fri Jan 31, 2025 12:48 pm Did anyone ever try a piece of aluminum foil and water? It works if it just a light cleaning.

It works great on rusted non plated parts too.

Yes I have heard foil works for shining up lots of things! Never tried it though.

One word: Autosol


Use it on gold/brass too.

Just realized I had silver polish under the sink. Gave it a go and followed up with some Renaissance Wax. Still has some hazing but after waxing it looks brighter and feels very smooth. Left is the before, right is after.

gramophone-georg wrote: Fri Jan 31, 2025 2:28 pm One word: Autosol


Use it on gold/brass too.

I saw this mentioned when I was looking for polish. Folks say it works well and if it is made in Germany it surely does!

Do you think it would do a lot better than the silver polish pics above? I am not sure all the hazing will come off without stripping the plate.