Hey metallurgists.

[Artie]

My photography skills aren't great, but is there something I can do to this switch to make this metal look like new again? This switch has been in a drawer for a long time. This is one of those times when NOS is not a good thing. Is there something I can soak this in?

Thanks all.
Artie

 

[AdrianSD]

Spray some WD40, or even white vinegar maybe?

 

[Artie]

Spray some WD40, or even white vinegar maybe?

I'm not crazy about WD40, but I've heard about that white vinegar thing before. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[Securb]

Once it drys out I would hit it with some contact cleaner also.

 

[Artie]

Once it drys out I would hit it with some contact cleaner also.

Yup. I'll do Deoxit as my last step. I was just hoping there was some way to get that "tarnish" off of there.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

I have same issue as OP. Anyway to make this cover look new?

 

[Securb]

Two different issues. Op has oxidation he needs to remove. You have chrome finish missing, at least it looks so in the pictures. You could have the covers re-chromed, way too expensive. Buy new covers or deal with it. If it is a player I would just play them and move on.

 

[AdrianSD]

I've had good success in the past with using brake fluid to get rid of rust, or remove rusted bolts that otherwise wouldn't bulge. But I'm not sure I'd use it for this switch, might eat into some of the other, non-metal material.

 

[Artie]

I almost forgot that I had an ultrasonic cleaner. I'm going to try that with the vinegar trick and see what happens.

 

[solspirit]

There's a product, I think it's called white diamond.
. It's one of the best products I've used for this type of thing.

 

[Artie]

Thanks. Googling it now.

 

[solspirit]

https://www.whitediamondeu.com/product/white-diamond-metal-polish

 

[Artie]

https://www.whitediamondeu.com/product/white-diamond-metal-polish

 

[solspirit]

Haha

 

[idsnowdog]

I use auto buffing compound and a felt block. It's good for polishing frets too.

 

[Artie]

The problem here, is that I have to get it down into the nooks and crannies of the other layers. I have the same issue with the "sideways" 5-way superswitch that I'm reconditioning for that weird "Electra" guitar that is a customer unit. I need something that I can soak it in.

 

[solspirit]

I didn't realize that you were looking for a soak, maybe this. . .
. https://evapo-rust.com/

 

[Artie]

I didn't realize that you were looking for a soak, maybe this. . .
. https://evapo-rust.com/

This is where I don't know metallurgy. Is rust the same as tarnish?

 

[solspirit]

This is where I don't know metallurgy. Is rust the same as tarnish?

Well it's oxidization like rust but a somewhat different form. Maybe try it for a quarter of the time recommended. I doubt it will hurt the switch.

 

[Artie]

I'm pretty sure I've used that product before to clean up an old rusty flea-market plane. I'll give it a shot again.