What to clean a chrome chassis with, that won't remove the lettering.

General discussion area for tube amps.

Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal

Post Reply
newking70
Posts: 69
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 7:49 pm

What to clean a chrome chassis with, that won't remove the lettering.

Post by newking70 »

Windex wipes? Any suggestions?
Stevem
Posts: 4551
Joined: Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:01 pm
Location: 1/3rd the way out one of the arms of the Milkyway.

Re: What to clean a chrome chassis with, that won't remove the lettering.

Post by Stevem »

A very soft rag wetted up with some dish soap, then dry with a very soft rag and apply car wax , and soft rags for the wax on and off also.
Terry cloth, or a old fanned shirt or a Pillow case work great.
When I die, I want to go like my Grandfather did, peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming like the passengers in his car!😊

Cutting out a man's tongue does not mean he’s a liar, but it does show that you fear the truth he might speak about you!
User avatar
JMFahey
Posts: 252
Joined: Sun Dec 13, 2009 1:39 pm
Location: Buenos Aires - Argentina

Re: What to clean a chrome chassis with, that won't remove the lettering.

Post by JMFahey »

Agree with Stevem, any cleaner containing solvents will soften and may even pull silkscreened paint, any abrasive based one will grind it off.
Maybe just a little every time, but it´s a no return path.

Windex does not have solvents or abrasives, but contains ammonia which might react with old style silkscreen inks, modern amps probably use chemically stable Epoxy paint, but why risk it?
Design/Make/Service Musical stuff in Buenos Aires, Argentina, since 1969
User avatar
Phil_S
Posts: 5936
Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2007 10:12 pm
Location: Baltimore, MD

Re: What to clean a chrome chassis with, that won't remove the lettering.

Post by Phil_S »

You might do OK with Bon Ami, which is, ...This formula starts with biodegradable cleaning agents, then adds feldspar and the even softer abrasive, limestone. We add a little bit of soda ash and a touch of baking soda. The result is an effective cleaner for modern surfaces.

You might also look at Bar Keeper's Friend. It comes in a liquid and a foam.

I'd test these before applying over the whole thing.
User avatar
mhartman
Posts: 611
Joined: Sun Jun 15, 2008 5:43 pm

Re: What to clean a chrome chassis with, that won't remove the lettering.

Post by mhartman »

Use saliva on a rag and then clean with water.
Stevem
Posts: 4551
Joined: Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:01 pm
Location: 1/3rd the way out one of the arms of the Milkyway.

Re: What to clean a chrome chassis with, that won't remove the lettering.

Post by Stevem »

A real dirty amp could dehydrated you, but then again that's a good excuse for a pre- weekend Beer, lol!
When I die, I want to go like my Grandfather did, peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming like the passengers in his car!😊

Cutting out a man's tongue does not mean he’s a liar, but it does show that you fear the truth he might speak about you!
User avatar
Ken Moon
Posts: 610
Joined: Tue May 08, 2007 2:41 pm
Location: Denver

Re: What to clean a chrome chassis with, that won't remove the lettering.

Post by Ken Moon »

This stuff works great. It has no ammonia or peroxide or other nasty stuff.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Connoisseurs ... 3=&veh=sem

I've used it to clean vintage car emblems and metallized plastic car badges, and it's easy on any surrounding paint, but I do wipe it off immediately.

Otherwise, you can use an LCD/LED TV screen cleaner with no ammonia.

Or water.
User avatar
jjman
Posts: 753
Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2007 2:33 pm
Location: Central NJ USA

Re: What to clean a chrome chassis with, that won't remove the lettering.

Post by jjman »

I use Nu-Finish on crome chassis. Hand polish and buff. No wax or residuals AFAIK.
If it says "Vintage" on it, -it isn't.
Post Reply