New Vintage Audio Restoration HQ
- Thread starter Michaels HiFi
- Start date
Bones13
Active member
Making polishing pads of a certain size to fit a motorized polish device
Michaels HiFi
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- #363
You guys are good!
I made a 30 second video to explain it rather than trying to type out a loooooooooong explanation.
Michaels HiFi
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- #364
Never content to sit still, lately I've decided to go more old school in the look and feel of my restorations.
I've been exploring the difference in looks between different spray sealant, polish wealths, hybrid sealants and carnauba waxes.
Currently I'm focusing on old school, hand applied paste waxes and learning the difference between different ones. Unfortunately there aren't that many. A bunch are in Europe with the wax being only ~$15, but the shipping being ~$50. I'm not about to spend close to $70 on wax.
It seems some go for glass-like look but are sterile. Some for for more soft but shallow looks.
In this pic I just received a new one to try that should give me a great glow and a liquid wet look while not being sterile.
Think of the looks as different playback formats.
I'm also going to experiment with layering different products to get the exact look I want individual to each piece.
I've been exploring the difference in looks between different spray sealant, polish wealths, hybrid sealants and carnauba waxes.
Currently I'm focusing on old school, hand applied paste waxes and learning the difference between different ones. Unfortunately there aren't that many. A bunch are in Europe with the wax being only ~$15, but the shipping being ~$50. I'm not about to spend close to $70 on wax.
It seems some go for glass-like look but are sterile. Some for for more soft but shallow looks.
In this pic I just received a new one to try that should give me a great glow and a liquid wet look while not being sterile.
Think of the looks as different playback formats.
I'm also going to experiment with layering different products to get the exact look I want individual to each piece.
Michaels HiFi
Well-known member
- Thread Author
- #365
I cleaned up this 90 year old latch off a 1936 tube tester. Before and after pics.
Michaels HiFi
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- Thread Author
- #366
Another before and after restoring a ~70 year old alligator clips that came with one of the testers I am restoring.
I've tried over 10 metal cleaners until I found the ones I really love.
I've tried over 10 metal cleaners until I found the ones I really love.
brad225
Well-known member
I'm 73 Michael and looking old. If I come to Texas do you have a container of something that can make me young again?
Last edited:
Michaels HiFi
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- Thread Author
- #368
Sure! Well use the "fine" metal polish cream rather than the 'course' one.
Michaels HiFi
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- Thread Author
- #369
HELP ME CHOOSE WHICH TO USE!
Apparently restoring vintage tube gear wasn’t OCD enough for me.
So naturally, I’ve now added another completely unnecessary obsession:
HAND-APPLIED PASTE WAXES.
I finally got the 1930s Hickok AC51X cleaned up. This thing has a LOT of delicate aluminum, and getting 80+ years of grime and scratches off without creating new ones was a balancing act of technique, tools, product… and trying not to do something stupid.
I originally waxed it, decided it looked too modern, then managed to introduce a few scratches by getting a little too enthusiastic removing the wax with the microfiber cloth.
DOH!
So… back to square one.
Duragloss pre-cleaner, followed by my new 3M fine and ultra-fine polishes. I removed a lot of the scratches, but stopped before chasing perfection and risking damage to 80+ year-old aluminum.
Now I need help to make the final call - which wax to use?
MIDNIGHT SUN = deeper / wetter / richer
SOUVERÄN = warmer / softer / more romantic
Which one gets the honor?
Vote below or shoot me a PM - and lets see whether I somehow manage to create another problem for myself with wax
Apparently restoring vintage tube gear wasn’t OCD enough for me.
So naturally, I’ve now added another completely unnecessary obsession:
HAND-APPLIED PASTE WAXES.
I finally got the 1930s Hickok AC51X cleaned up. This thing has a LOT of delicate aluminum, and getting 80+ years of grime and scratches off without creating new ones was a balancing act of technique, tools, product… and trying not to do something stupid.
I originally waxed it, decided it looked too modern, then managed to introduce a few scratches by getting a little too enthusiastic removing the wax with the microfiber cloth.
DOH!
So… back to square one.
Duragloss pre-cleaner, followed by my new 3M fine and ultra-fine polishes. I removed a lot of the scratches, but stopped before chasing perfection and risking damage to 80+ year-old aluminum.
Now I need help to make the final call - which wax to use?
MIDNIGHT SUN = deeper / wetter / richer
SOUVERÄN = warmer / softer / more romantic
Which one gets the honor?
Vote below or shoot me a PM - and lets see whether I somehow manage to create another problem for myself with wax
brad225
Well-known member
SOUVERÄN = warmer / softer / more romantic
I think older objects with softer finish seem more appropriate.
I think older objects with softer finish seem more appropriate.