The toothpaste trick

[Zhangliqun]

I read about it in here and finally tried it. I think it was Mr. Schwab who posted about it and if so, kudos to you pal. It really works.

For those who don't know, if you have a scratched bobbin sand out the scratch and then reshine it with toothpaste, a rag, and some elbow grease. In my case I tried on one of the GJ 49.2mm bobbins that have kind of a weird dull "grainy" finish -- worked like a charm.

In the case of a scratched bobbin, . Dave or whoever told me about it, great tip -- thanks!

[David Schwab]

I think Joe mentioned it also... I used to use UltraBrite to polish the edges of acrylic pickguards.

Glad it worked for you!

[kevinT]

I tried it on a CD once. I heard that it would take out scratches/skips. It actually damaged it by putting more scratches in the plastic. ...I guess it depends on the type toothpaste. I used a whitening paste (i can't remember which brand). I guess it was more abrasive than than something like a gel.

Did you use gel or paste?

[jonson]

Kevin is right on the type of toothpaste as some are so abrasive they will eventually start removing the enamel from your teeth as well if you brush too often. The local Car paint retailers will help. Here in the uk we have an amonia based hand rubbing liquid called t-cut which will bring plastic up to a high shine very quick if you remove deep scratches with 2000 grip wet and dry paper first. There is also an abrasive paper on the world markets called Micromesh which goes down to 24,000 grit and that stuff polishes as it cuts.
Used in the aircraft industry for polishing perspex windows but is available in small kits so worth looking for it on the net. If you do not know T-cut which is available in small quantities I will try and find the USA brand name for you guys.

[EtLa]

The EM plastic FINE SCRATCH REMOVER FOR PLASTIC that I bought at Home Depot works fine too.
http://www.emplastic.com/index2.html...&product_id=65

[Joe Gwinn]

I think Joe mentioned it also... I used to use UltraBrite to polish the edges of acrylic pickguards.

I did, and I learned it from an article written in the 1960s, where the issue was how to clarify weathered plexiglass portholes in sailboats.

Different kinds of toothpaste differ in their abrasiveness. Toothpastes intended to clean the teeth of smokers being the most abrasive. Topol comes to mind. Some of these smokers' toothpastes are so abrasive that they can polish the tooth enamel away over time.

[Stan H]

...and it makes your guitar kissably fresh, too

You may want to steer clear of the floride kind as it may try to heal your control cavity.

[black_labb]

toothpaste is just a polish, so it just removes a layer of whatever its rubbing against. ive heard that roughly spinning bearings can be packed with toothpaste and ran for a short amount of time, then rinsed and repacked with grease to get them working well again. same idea i guess.

[Zhangliqun]

...and it makes your guitar kissably fresh, too

Absolutely -- it was all I could do not to cut that bobbin up and sprinkle it on my cereal!

[Joe Gwinn]

toothpaste is just a polish, so it just removes a layer of whatever its rubbing against. ive heard that roughly spinning bearings can be packed with toothpaste and ran for a short amount of time, then rinsed and repacked with grease to get them working well again. same idea i guess.

That is a standard trick for gears. It's called "lapping the gears together".

But it probably won't work on bearings, and may in fact destroy the bearings.

[kevinT]

panty hose trick

Also,

If one of your belts breaks in your auto, you can use panty hose for a substitute. Just tie it around the pullys and tie a knot in it.

This is also a good trick if your belt breaks on your winder.

I'll have to see if the wife has any spare panty hose so that i can have some on hand just in case there is a winding crisis

[black_labb]

That is a standard trick for gears. It's called "lapping the gears together".

But it probably won't work on bearings, and may in fact destroy the bearings.

ive heard people reccomend it for bikes, but i havent done it, im sure it would be fine aslong as you dont do it too much.