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Thread: tailpiece cover

  1. #1
    Registered User Wayne Bagley's Avatar
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    Default tailpiece cover

    just curious......
    I have a brass tailpiece and cover. (not cast)

    Do you guys polish it with anything?
    Don't want it to lose it's shine prematurely.
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  2. #2
    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    Default Re: tailpiece cover

    I'd remove it & give it an 'first' good polish with a good quality metal polishing cream/liquid to give it a good shine.After that i'd buy one of the Silver polishing cloths that you can get & give it the occasional rub over with that to keep it tarnish free.The cloths are dry & have an impregnated polishing powder in them.They're very un-messy & easy to use,
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  3. #3

    Default Re: tailpiece cover

    Brass oxidises quickly, so I can't see the point of continually polishing.

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  4. #4
    Registered User houseworker's Avatar
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    Default Re: tailpiece cover

    The brass may well be lacquered, in which case polishing is the worst thing to do. If it's not lacquered, you may want to lacquer it yourself - it's the only way to keep it shiny over a long period without endless polishing. Or just let the brass do its own thing and not worry, since well weathered brass tends to acquire a fantastic complex patina.

  5. #5
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: tailpiece cover

    There is a product available in most home stores (I got mine at Home Depot, Wal-mart also carries it) called NEVR-DULL. It's a can that contains a big wad of cotton like cloth. You pull off a small piece of the cotton and simply rub the offending piece of metal and it shines. Wipe off the almost miniscule amount of residue with a clean paper towel and your done. It's used for polishing everything from fine silver to cars and works on most metals. Their website is here. One can will probably last a lifetime. I used it for years when restoring vintage banjos and guitars. I use it on my mandolin TP cover.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  6. #6
    Registered User Wayne Bagley's Avatar
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    Default Re: tailpiece cover

    thanks everyone.

    I like houseworker's thoughts about just letting the brass do its own thing and not worry, since well weathered brass tends to acquire a fantastic complex patina.

    My concern is perhaps the cover would change faster than the other brass components and therefore stick out like a sore thumb. Perhaps I'll hold off and monitor it before putting any polish to it.

    thanks again Wayne
    Northfield Calhoun Mandolin
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  7. #7
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: tailpiece cover

    Can you post a picture?

  8. #8
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: tailpiece cover

    I epoxied on a piece of Ebony on my metal tailpiece.. works nicely..
    some people can do Inlay on the ebony if you wish..

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