Name: Steve Kennedy
Email: steve@pacair.com
Subject: Rusted Hardware
Thread: 210
Time: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 23:06:18 UTC
When I restore an amp I try to salvage the original hardware at all costs... the new replacement stuff just isn't as high a quality as the originals.
If the rust is heavy, first remove the hardware from the cabinet and soak it in a rust remover like CLR to get the worst of it off.
I then polish it by hand or with a drill using #000 (or is it #0000?) steel wool. This is the finest steel wool you can buy and it is used for furniture finishing.
This will eventually get most of the rust and polish the hardware to a sheen... even if it might not be a perfect finish it definitely has more character than cheap but shiny hardware. Most of the old hardware isn't chrome plated like the cheap stuff, it is nickel plated.
I also use this steel wool in guitar neck refinishing. After a few coats of gloss clear (both before and after decaling if required), a soft rub-out with fine steel wool will give you that "factory satin" finish. It is a much finer satin finish than you could ever spray yourself. I happen to prefer this finish to gloss on my necks.
Steve