View Full Version : Polishing a pick edge
Clamdigger
Jan-25-2010, 5:40am
Can someone tell how polish a pick edge to make it smooth again without ruining the pick?
Thanks Clamdigger
Jon Hall
Jan-25-2010, 6:12am
Micro - Mesh abrasives work well. You can buy a kit that has two sheets of each grit. If you use progressively finer grits you can achieve a surface to match the original.
Richard Moore
Jan-25-2010, 6:37am
After the abrasive sheets you can also use metal polish or toothpaste, both of which contain very fine abrasives, and a cloth to obtain a really smooth finish. I always refinish the edges of my picks this way.
J.C. Bryant
Jan-25-2010, 6:40am
Go To WalMart and get one of those thngs that ladies use to polish nails. They come in several "grits" and work great!
Clamdigger
Jan-25-2010, 6:41am
Thanks for the replies. Where can I get the micro-mesh kit? Clamdigger
You can get a micromesh kit from international violin supply in Baltimore, just google their name for their web page.
mandroid
Jan-25-2010, 9:54am
Emery cloth or abrasive paper, in finer 120- 600 grits , then A final stropping polish on your pant's leg.
available locally.
Clamdigger
Jan-25-2010, 10:07am
I just got off the phone with the hobby shop guy. They have a kit that is used to polish scratches on model car windshields, etc. Not expensive. Thanks for tips. Clamdigger
Jim Broyles
Jan-25-2010, 10:21am
Seriously, save your money and get a nail finishing kit at WalMart. One of those spongey things with four different grits works great.http://simplyattractive.com/images/P/IMG_0703-01.jpg
Clamdigger
Jan-25-2010, 10:40am
Thanks Jim. I am going to do that this afternoon. Clamdigger
Paul Hostetter
Jan-25-2010, 10:39pm
Wait a minute. Why would you shine it up when you’re just going to use it again? The edge of the pick is the playing surface an the quality of that surface is what you get when you use it. For most people, the act of playing burnishes the pck's edge. If you’re noticing that the pick's edge is becoming somehow ruined by the act of picking, maybe it's time to consider a different substance for the pick?
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qFdFy3gFK9M/SPMKaDWedNI/AAAAAAAAAWE/EjCOqxYoqRk/s400/sysiphus.jpg
Ivan Kelsall
Jan-26-2010, 12:49am
Earl Scruggs used to polish the edge of his Banjo thumbpick on a piece of cardboard - it works. Quite a lot of paper & cardboard uses a 'filler' made from some kind of mineral ie. Magnesium Silicate / Barium Sulfate & it's very mildy abrasive.I've used a piece of thick card many times for polishing pick edges,
Ivan:mandosmiley:
Mike Snyder
Jan-26-2010, 1:01am
The nail thingies don't give me the mirror polish that makes for minimal pick "squeak". I've used leather,paper, bluejeans, cardboard and nylon weave. The leather seemed best, but some low abrasive like toothpaste speeds things up. Taking out every little scratch is imperative to me, and on a Wegan or Red Bear, it takes some work. The Wegans are tuff. Reminds me of trying to sharpen
Gerber stainless steel.
Jim Broyles
Jan-26-2010, 5:25am
The nail thingies don't give me the mirror polish that makes for minimal pick "squeak". I've used leather,paper, bluejeans, cardboard and nylon weave. The leather seemed best, but some low abrasive like toothpaste speeds things up. Taking out every little scratch is imperative to me, and on a Wegan or Red Bear, it takes some work. The Wegans are tuff. Reminds me of trying to sharpen
Gerber stainless steel.
Those smooth gray ones do. Usually there is a side on those which has a polisher. It gives a mirror shine.
Ivan Kelsall
Jan-27-2010, 12:44am
Mike - You nailed it, those Wegens are as tough as hells bells !. I use Wegens, & because the bevel was too much for me,i sanded most of it off. I used one of the small cylindrical sanding drums that came with my DREMEL tool (very carefully), & then used one of the DREMEL buffing wheels with some metal polish to re-finish the edges,
Ivan
Mike Snyder
Jan-27-2010, 1:06am
This thread popping up last night inspired me to go to the next level with the polish on my favorite Wegan 140. I did find a nail buffer that gave me a mirrorish finish without the toothpaste mess. It just took some elbow grease and a few minutes and the result is slick. The grit was worn quite a bit. It would probably kill me to grind into a Blue Chip, so i haven't bought one. Yet.
I fall in and out of love with picks so frequently that I could sell off my spares and buy a BC.
Clamdigger
Jan-27-2010, 8:11am
Mission accomplished. Picks like new. Micro-mesh sanding, metal polishing, fingernail kit polishing then Dremel tool pad polishing. End of story. Thanks all for the tips. Clamdigger