Thread: What do you use to polish your pins?

I have used a Dremel felt tip with a bit of polishing compound with some success. It ended up a bit messy.

I'm guessing some metal polish would work too.

What technique/product do you guys generally use?

I was restoring an old pair of horn scales with neatsfoot oil and after that some auto rubbing compound to bring out the shine. It took all the grime off the pins and left them looking like new.

Otherwise some MAAS polish or any metal polish should do the trick

I have a question, How do you polish pins. Do you use a vise, or hold them, or what?
They're quite small. Would it be better to replace them, or is it keeping the razor original, that sort of thing...

It depends if the pins are broken or the washers are broken etc, or if the pins are loose and the razor is opening and closing by itself- then it is better IMO to replace them. Then you get improved function and aesthetics.

Otherwise to polish them I would hold the razor and buff them. If theres a build up of grime a pin could be used to scrape it off! But hand buffing alone always works for me

I just use some metal polish and a rag. I find that using the buffer doesnt get as good results, and makes them have a bunch of gunk around the pin that can be hard to get off.

polished pins is one of those little attention to detail that can make a big difference in a resto, imo!

Thanks for all your replies I agree that the buffer option tends to leave gunk around the pins. This may, however be avoided if you put some electrical tape around the pin... I'll have to try that.

Polished pins make all the difference

After buffing the pins use an old tooth brush with dish soap to clean the stuff off around the pins.

I use a dremel and a small felt wheel. I just dab a little polishing compound onto the pin itself (not onto the felt wheel) and then slowly and gently buff. I hold the razor and the dremel by hand for this. I usually interlock some fingers to steady myself and I move the razor around the dremel, instead of moving the dremel around the razor. I hope that last bit made sense.

The toothbrush is a good idea, I will have to try that. Seems safer than using metal polish or something similar which is much more abrasive to the finished wood...