Author Topic: How should I clean/brighten side marker dots? (Read 472 times)

lbpesq · « **on:** September 19, 2014, 12:27:36 AM »

The side fret marker dots on my '76 Series 1 guitar are quite dark and difficult to see, except for the double dots at the 24th fret which are much brighter. Were these aluminum? MOP? What's rhe best way to brighten them up?

Bill, tgo

fmm · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2014, 06:35:33 AM »

I would try a pencil eraser

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 19, 2014, 06:38:04 AM »

if they are aluminum lightly brush with a little steel wool or try a touch of CLR.

sonicus · « **Reply #3 on:** September 19, 2014, 08:16:25 AM »

I used a tiny amount FLITZ polish on a Q-tip and they look brand new !____Be ready with some Alembic Supreme polish for guitars to clean up around the area after with a soft rag. ____

I would NOT use anything highly abrasive !!!! Or anything with acid content ! ( sorry ___ no steel wool or CLR ) Even a pencil eraser is abrasive ___.

sonicus · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2014, 08:36:58 AM »

Here is the MSDS ( material safety data sheet) for CLR

http://www.jelmar.com/msds/2012/CLR_Calcium_Lime_Rust_MSDS.pdf

sonicus · « **Reply #5 on:** September 19, 2014, 10:00:25 AM »

FLITZ liquid polish MSDS
https://www.flitz.com/content/MSDS-LiquidMetalPolish_16pt.pdf

mica · « **Reply #6 on:** September 19, 2014, 03:59:43 PM »

No - those are sterling silver, Bill. If there is finish over them, I'm afraid your best bet will be to apply an opaque marker or sticker over the dots.

If there is no finish on them, then sand the edge of the board lightly or use the white Scotch Brite then a drop of lemon oil on the edge.

lbpesq · « **Reply #7 on:** September 19, 2014, 07:02:41 PM »

Just got home and tried Flitz on a Q-tip (that's what I had in the house). Easy peasy and worked great. Took all of 90 seconds! Thanks Wolf.

Bill

sonicus · « **Reply #8 on:** September 20, 2014, 12:26:00 AM »

Bill , I am very pleased that worked for you . The Flitz on a Q-tip made the dots on both my 81 Distillate and 81 Series I look nice and bright as well .

JuancarlinBass · « **Reply #9 on:** September 20, 2014, 11:15:30 AM »

What would be the advice on this same matter, but on (brass?) side markers on a 96?Epic?

sonicus · « **Reply #10 on:** September 20, 2014, 11:47:09 AM »

I have had huge success with FLITZ on Silver, Brass & Aluminum . Copper and even steel as well ! Chrome like results ___ on most metals , as in very shiny !

sonicus · « **Reply #11 on:** September 20, 2014, 10:44:48 PM »

It seems that the lemon oil treatment is a good idea after cleaning the dot area as well . The Flitz method has worked for me however I am sure that Mica has a good reason for her suggestions for her posting on this topic .

keith_h · « **Reply #12 on:** September 21, 2014, 07:11:19 AM »

The problem I see with using Flitz is it getting deposited in the grain or cracks and leaving a white residue that will be hard to get out. Much like getting automotive wax on the plastic trim of a car. The ScotchBrite pad in mildly abrasive so shouldn't affect the finger board and with the lemon oil should do a good job of buffing out any oxidation while feeding the finger board edge.

Keith

sonicus · « **Reply #13 on:** September 21, 2014, 08:56:09 AM »

Keith , I thought about that as well and it could be a risk perhaps and therefore I was very sparing with the amount of FLITZ and used skill in the process, Blue tape can be used if one is really worried about your level of skill in such things . I had no issues with that on my end however results could vary as to how you do it . I used less then 1/2 a drop of Flitz to do it and afterward DID actually use lemon oil on the fingerboard and also Alembic Polish on the entire Bass ( not fingerboard ). ____Usual disclaimers __ results may vary . As in any such operation it must be done skillfully and not slop the FLITZ all about . One can be very precise with a Q-tip .