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Thread: Best way to polish picks?

  1. #1
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    Default Best way to polish picks?

    Hello,

    My favorite picks are the 1.5mm proplec 346's. However, I have noticed that over time the points of the picks get scratched from the strings, and it impacts both the sound and the amount of friction. Anyone have experience polishing/buffing/smoothing out scratched picks? What kind of abrasion works best?

    Thanks

    Rob
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    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best way to polish picks?

    Hi Rob - I've re-shaped / polished a few picks (& Thumb picks),not because they were worn or scratched,but because i like a certain point 'shape'. I use a Saphire grit nail file - pretty cheap these days, to file the shape / bevel. Then i use a 4 sided nail buffer,the type that ladies use on their nails to smooth them off / polish them after filing. They are also pretty cheap. It only takes a few minutes & you can have an almost mirror finish on your picks,
    Ivan
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  4. #3
    Oval holes are cool David Lewis's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best way to polish picks?

    Toothpaste works too.

  5. #4
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best way to polish picks?

    I like using a nail file as well.

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    Mediocre but OK with that Paul Busman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best way to polish picks?

    I'll second the recommendation for a 4 sided nail buffer. I use one to slightly round and then polish one of the points on my favorite Dunlop Primetone picks.
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    Default Re: Best way to polish picks?

    +1 for the nail buffer.

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    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best way to polish picks?

    When I was selling fine jewelry, I used a nail buffer on my nails and the polishing wheel on picks. There were times when I had time to do both in an afternoon.
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

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    Default Re: Best way to polish picks?

    I guess the best way would be to get on an airplane to Poland and ask to see the picks........................

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    Default Re: Best way to polish picks?

    Brilliant! Now why didn't I think of that? My wife has great nails and she had a plethora of of choices. The 4-sided foam with the 3 different abrasions did the trick! Thank you all!
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  13. #10
    Registered User Tenzin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best way to polish picks?

    I know this video deals with picks/plectrums for guitar use, but this buddy of mine is a fine, intelligent man. He's always been able to shed some light on questions I've had.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM4rnxziq_c

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    Default Re: Best way to polish picks?

    Quote Originally Posted by RobP View Post
    Brilliant! Now why didn't I think of that? My wife has great nails and she had a plethora of of choices. The 4-sided foam with the 3 different abrasions did the trick! Thank you all!
    Yep. The smoothest side on the one I use will polish beveled edges to mirror finish

  15. #12
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    Default Re: Best way to polish picks?

    I'm bumping this old thread that I started just to emphasize how much of a difference polishing makes to my ProPlec picks. I like the sound I get from ProPlecs the best, but I can really tell when they get scratched over time because both the sound and the feel of the pick across the strings degrades over time. To me it makes a huge difference to the overall sound and feel (I polished the ProPlec I have been using again last night and it just lit up!). The 4-sided nail file is magic!!

    Rob
    Follow the Flatt Stanley Incident on Facebook

    Listen to original tune "When You Fly" by my old band The Kindreds

  16. #13
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Question Re: Best way to polish picks?

    Polishing compounds are a mild abrasive, (in various grades)
    you can get it in powder form and apply it to damp canvas & rub away..

    A stick form is applied to powered buffing wheels , then the rubbing is motorized.. .



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  17. #14
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    Default Re: Best way to polish picks?

    I use a bench grinder with polishing wheel and fine polishing compound. May be overkill but leaves a super smooth finish.

  18. #15

    Default Re: Best way to polish picks?

    If you want the absolute best finish you can try micromesh. I used regular sandpaper to give the base shape of my wolle pick, then micromesh 3600 > 8000 > 12000. It's what they use to polish plane windows, I also successful removed scratched from a watch face, it works very well and you don't need powered tools.

    https://www.amazon.com/Micro-Mesh-Re...ateway&sr=8-10

    https://www.amazon.com/Micro-Mesh-Mi...gateway&sr=8-6

    https://www.amazon.com/Micro-Mesh-Mi...gateway&sr=8-8

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  20. #16
    Registered User Bad Monkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best way to polish picks?

    no one's mentioned the old bar gig tried and true method...
    reach down and swipe the edge of the pick on a cheap carpet a few times, it'll polish right up smooth as glass in seconds

  21. #17
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    Default Re: Best way to polish picks?

    A file is OK to get a decent surface, but if you want it smooth I scrape it with a sharp knife. It's like using a scraper. A file is like sandpaper, sandpaper will never leave a surface as smooth as a scraper.
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