How to remove scratches from MODS

[tayone415]

I finally decided to it was time to clean my mods, and get rid of the patina look on 2 of my mods, my SS and black mod made no real difference, but on my copper and brass mods, I found it that the patina was masking lots of light scratches, mostly just on my copper mod. I been searching here on ECF and through google and can't find anyway to remove scratches, besides taking it to a jewelry store or sanding it, and I don't want to sand it, the scratches are light surface scratches, and can't be felt.

Does anyone have any experience with removing scratches successfully without sanding or paying a jeweler buff it out?

TIA

 

[jstjoehere]

having a jeweler buff it is probably the best way. Sandpaper will scratch it worse more that likely. Be patient someone may have some good advice for you.

 

[DeadbeatJeff]

you could try an abrasive metal scrub like Brasso, and then buff it out with a microfibre

if they're not that deep you could try a non-abrasive metal polish.... forget the brand everyone uses.

Maybe join this group and ask there
https://www.facebook.com/groups/coppermods/

100% copperheads^

 

[tayone415]

you could try an abrasive metal scrub like Brasso, and then buff it out with a microfibre

if they're not that deep you could try a non-abrasive metal polish.... forget the brand everyone uses.

Maybe join this group and ask there
https://www.facebook.com/groups/coppermods/

100% copperheads^

Thanks, I actually used Never_Dull a wadding polish for all metals, to remove the patina, but the scratches still shows, but not as much after a few hours since the patina comes back after use.

 

[icemanistheking]

There are more abrasive polishes than what you usually see talked about in relation to mods, maybe check out some of those? I bought something called Meguiar's Heavy Cut Polish from the auto section of Wal-Mart yesterday, designed for severe oxidation, might get rid of light scratches...can't remember if it said safe to use on copper or not, though it is safe for brass. I am kinda worried about using it on my engravings though.

 

[icemanistheking]

and +1 for Nevr Dull as a normal polish works great for tarnish

 

[audiopistol]

Does your mod have a polished or brushed look? Most of mine were polished but I prefer the brushed/matte look. So I did quickly did some research on how to do it myself. Found out that Scotch Brite pads work perfectly, as long as you do it right. What I also discovered is that it gets out all the minor, light surface scratches (2 birds 1 stone). Brushed mods are nice because you don't ever have to worry about fingerprints

 

[VenusianSky]

I have Brasso, which is great for polish, but it is not too abrasive. I don't think it will get deep scratches out. I remember having some stuff that you had to apply with gloves. Unfortunately, I don't remember the name (it was many years ago). It could get scratches out.

 

[tayone415]

Does your mod have a polished or brushed look? Most of mine were polished but I prefer the brushed/matte look. So I did quickly did some research on how to do it myself. Found out that Scotch Brite pads work perfectly, as long as you do it right. What I also discovered is that it gets out all the minor, light surface scratches (2 birds 1 stone). Brushed mods are nice because you don't ever have to worry about fingerprints

All my mods are polished except one black one so I don't think Scotch Brite would work for me.

There are more abrasive polishes than what you usually see talked about in relation to mods, maybe check out some of those? I bought something called Meguiar's Heavy Cut Polish from the auto section of Wal-Mart yesterday, designed for severe oxidation, might get rid of light scratches...can't remember if it said safe to use on copper or not, though it is safe for brass. I am kinda worried about using it on my engravings though.

Yeah, I thought I ruined my engravings with Never_Dull, turned out my mods were just too shiny and the lights reflection made my etchings look rubbed out.

I have Brasso, which is great for polish, but it is not too abrasive. I don't think it will get deep scratches out. I remember having some stuff that you had to apply with gloves. Unfortunately, I don't remember the name (it was many years ago). It could get scratches out.

I have light scratches that can't be felt just seen. Is Brasso just for brass?

 

[BobFully]

I am surprised no one mentioned tarn-x + microfiber. Elbow grease + a wax sealant afterwards = amazing results.
readily found at your local stores
highly recommended!

 

[DeadbeatJeff]

Brasso will definitely take off your scratches

I polish with a lambskin polishing/buffing cloth I picked up for like $8 (mirror finish), after starting out with a simple cotton cloth (which does leave tiny scratches)

 

[TheOnyxEgg]

Has anyone tried Simichrome polish to shine up mods and remove light scratches? I used to use it all the time when working on guitars to remove oxidation and polish up frets and other metal parts. Should be safe to use on any of the metals found in a mod. Curious because I still have quite a bit at home and would love to be able to use it for this purpose as well.

Happich Simichrome Polish - Metal Polish - Only $7.99!

 

[icemanistheking]

I've used Simichrome, it seemed to work well, though I don't know about scratches. Actually, it was the first polish for mods I ever bought, as when I did an initial search on Google, it came up recommended the most.

I also hear wonderful things about Cape Cod polishing cloths, though I haven't tried them yet myself.

 

[Ryan Kelly]

I have Brasso, which is great for polish, but it is not too abrasive. I don't think it will get deep scratches out. I remember having some stuff that you had to apply with gloves. Unfortunately, I don't remember the name (it was many years ago). It could get scratches out.

have you used this on any brass mods you may own? i pick dup a bottle of brass from walmart to polish up my brass stingray that was extremely dirty and had a dark patina. it lightened everything up quite a bit and gave it all a uniform color but it is not shiny at all. it almost has a puke colored matte finish now and it is disgusting looking. i polished it a few more times thinking maybe it was just that dirty and no luck. any tips to get a nice shine?

 

[G-weezy]

Flitz, Blue Magic is what I use to shine up my mods.

 

[tayone415]

have you used this on any brass mods you may own? i pick dup a bottle of brass from walmart to polish up my brass stingray that was extremely dirty and had a dark patina. it lightened everything up quite a bit and gave it all a uniform color but it is not shiny at all. it almost has a puke colored matte finish now and it is disgusting looking. i polished it a few more times thinking maybe it was just that dirty and no luck. any tips to get a nice shine?

Never-Dull works like magic, it cleaned up all my patina on my brass and copper mods, shinned up nicely and looked better than when I first got them, but the scratches that the patina was hiding now shows up, I hate it, that's why I started this thread.

 

[VenusianSky]

I have light scratches that can't be felt just seen. Is Brasso just for brass?

No, it is made for polishing steel, brass, and copper. I actually bought it to restore a steel snare drum and it worked great (mirror finish). I used it on my copper mod, but only on the button as a test. It seem to work really well. When I am ready to do a full polish, I will find out how well it really works on copper.

have you used this on any brass mods you may own? i pick dup a bottle of brass from walmart to polish up my brass stingray that was extremely dirty and had a dark patina. it lightened everything up quite a bit and gave it all a uniform color but it is not shiny at all. it almost has a puke colored matte finish now and it is disgusting looking. i polished it a few more times thinking maybe it was just that dirty and no luck. any tips to get a nice shine?

I don't have any brass. I haven't tried it out completely on my copper mod (just on the button). I bought it restore a steel snare drum and it worked out to a mirror finish. I had to polish it pretty hard though.

 

[icemanistheking]

have you used this on any brass mods you may own? i pick dup a bottle of brass from walmart to polish up my brass stingray that was extremely dirty and had a dark patina. it lightened everything up quite a bit and gave it all a uniform color but it is not shiny at all. it almost has a puke colored matte finish now and it is disgusting looking. i polished it a few more times thinking maybe it was just that dirty and no luck. any tips to get a nice shine?

Just to make sure, you are buffing it out after rubbing the polish in, correct? On subsequent polishings, was your rag still turning the black color from the tarnish coming off? I've found that if any black still shows up on the rag, it can still get shinier, either by more buffing or more polishing.

 

[thezoo]

I love my stingray but hAte polishing. So I used a dremel with a buffing wheel to get it nice and shiny then washed it to get any polish residue off then I wrapped it with laminating sheets from wally world it doesnt look perfect but it prevents tarnish and scratches two week since I first did it and it still looks great

 

[Blackboar]

To remove the patina, you'd probably need a bit of light sanding. Use a very high grit sandpaper, like 600, then 800 , and polish with 1000. If you're trying to buff out scratches, you can use a polishing compound and some elbow grease.

For the sandpaper, glue or use strips of double sided tape the sandpaper onto one of those soft mousepads that are cushioned. That gives you a straight surface that can still mold it shape to the curvature of the tube. Only move the mod in one direction, being as straight as possible in your movements. This is especially important when you're on the final grit, polishing.

If you want to protect the mod from further patina, you can buy a can of rustoleum clearcoat. Suspend the tube with a piece of wire and spray it with the clearcoat.