I've been told I can use Simichrome to polish up fountain pens. I know it works wonders on the metal bits, but how about the plastic/bakelite/celluloid/etc...?

Chris

Yes, absolutely. It's quite widely recommended by repair people for that purpose. Dennis Lively's pen repair DVD features it.

Ray

Thanks. I was told this by a reliable source, but wanted to double check before I wrecked a pen with it.

I beg to disagree.
Simichrome was formulated to polish metal.
It will quickly remove gold plating from plated metal parts and nibs. Its long term effects on some plastics are not known.
There are excellent polishes made for plastics and some are even formulated for polishing pens, why risk problems with a metal polish?

Yes, but Richard Binder sells and recommends it on his website, which is not to be sneezed at. His website says "For polishing pens, you can’t beat Simichrome. This stuff cuts through grease, grime, tarnish, oxidation, ink, and more. I’d be lost without it."

However, I think it does need to be used with care. It can strip off metal plating. I tend to use it very gently, and I have switched to Tryphon pen polish for plastic.

John

I was told to use it by the folks at FPH. When I saw the warnings/uses, I decided to ask here.

I'm with Johnny on this issue...
I switched to Tryphon's Plastic Polish kit and have been extremely happy with the results I am getting...

That sounds like the polish for pens in pitiful condition. But for just routine maintenance, I suspect it is way too aggressive. Btwy, Richard has also recommended other metal polishes such as Flitz and I think he also uses Tryphon products. He can clarify things himself if he sees this thread.

I would think the way to go is to pick the right polish for the right job.

gee...never thought I would start a controversy over what to use to polish a FP.

You have a problem with what I polish my pens with? Let's take it outside!



You know the old saying - get two pen repair people in a room and you'll have three opinions. This is nothing compared to Sheaffer Vac-filler repair technique or re-blackening hard rubber. You want to see the fur fly. . .

John

I was also recommended to try Simi on a vintage Parker Big Red.
It worked very well.

well, as everyone knows - i polish pens to the point of damaging them for all future use (yes, sarcasm and an "inside joke".)

Anyway - I have used flitz when i wanted to deal with a significant scratch, otherwise i have tried a couple of milder polishing liquids for a quick buff. I found mine at a bead store (jewelry designer/maker supply.)

Chris - you didn't start a controversy - the controversy has been there for a good while. I now state whether or not I've polished a pen if I'm going to sell it since some people consider it such an afront. Oddly, the only pens I've sold that were polished, were cases where it was requested.

Flitz is supposedly "non-abrasive" but I don't quite understand how anything can polish, technically, without having some abrasive quality. Decide for yourself what is best for you and how you are using your pens and go from there. Lots of choices - including don't polish at all.

Just a note to anyone considering using Flitz. It is probably best to use on pens the diluted liquid version ranther than the more concentrated paste version. And they claim it is even safe on plastic.

Disclaimer: I have never used the product myself.