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lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 5830
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 12:27 am:   Edit Post

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
Advanced Member
Username: fmm

Post Number: 400
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 6:35 am:   Edit Post

I would try a pencil eraser
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 1086
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 6:38 am:   Edit Post

if they are aluminum lightly brush with a little steel wool or try a touch of CLR.
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3616
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 8:16 am:   Edit Post

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
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3617
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 8:36 am:   Edit Post

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

http://www.jelmar.com/msds/2012/CLR_Calcium_Lime_Rust_MSDS.pdf
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3618
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 10:00 am:   Edit Post

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

Post Number: 8284
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 3:59 pm:   Edit Post

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
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 5832
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 7:02 pm:   Edit Post

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
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3620
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 12:26 am:   Edit Post

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 .
jcdlc72
Advanced Member
Username: jcdlc72

Post Number: 383
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 11:15 am:   Edit Post

What would be the advice on this same matter, but on (brass?) side markers on a 96ŽEpic?
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3621
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 11:47 am:   Edit Post

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
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3622
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 10:44 pm:   Edit Post

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
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 2084
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 7:11 am:   Edit Post

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
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3623
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 8:56 am:   Edit Post

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 .

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