For brightwork I use four different products. All four work, but some better than others depending on what you're doing.
The first -- ammonia. This is a good cleaner, most effective on small
parts that can be removed and cleaned individually. Remember I work mainly with radios, and this is good for bezels, pushbuttons, and knobs. As an aside, plastic knobs and
parts can be cleaned with Bleche-Wite. Either one, spray on, clean with a paintbrush, wash off. Just one caveat -- Studebaker. Don't use harsh chemicals on those ivory
parts used in Studebaker dashes. Use Windex or a mild soap, washing frequently.
Okay, second: Wheel cleaner. Spray container, look for the type that says danger -- corrosive. This has a mild acid which can indeed corrode some metals, but your stainless and chrome clean up great.
Wire wheels -- perfect solution. Again, my main use is on radio
parts; this cleans ground-in dirt better than ammonia.
Third: Nevr-Dull. This is a tin can full of cotton-like wadding. Pill off a little and rub it in -- watch that chrome come clean. This stuff is addictive -- start using it and you won't want to stop. It DOES leave a residue, so be ready with a clean shop towel to eipe it off and polish things up.
Fourth and not least: Simichrome polish. looks like a tube of toothpaste, and you can find it readily in any motorcycle shop. A little dab'll do ya -- put some on a shop towel and go to town -- it cleans and polishes chrome and stainless and brings out a real luster. I might add that Simichrome doesn't hold a monopoly on this stuff. I've tried other brands that work just as well. Simichrome is pink; other brands may be white. Hmm . . . I wonder if it CAN be used for toothpaste?
I've also found Simichrome to work on polishing plastic
parts. I also have Novus Plastic Polish. Simichrome works as a "rough" polish; seems to do a better job than Novus. But I follow it up with Novus FINE. Those
parts will shine like glass!
Hope these give you ideas.
