Hey All,

I just received a chrome capped Sheaffer Snorkel with a fine Triumph nib that I really love. The clip has some lateral movement, and I'm wondering if there is any way to tighten that down and keep it from moving quite so much(?).

Also, would Simichrome polish be a good choice for polishing the cap a bit - and what is best to apply/work the polish onto the pen?

Thanks,
Ryan

Simichrome is a mild abrasive (like all similar products). It's good for plastics, but it might be a bit hard on chrome. I've found that microfibre cloths are excellent for cleaning and polishing -- everything from the little cloths sold for cleaning eye-glasses to the gruntier things for decontaminating the bathroom. I'd try that on any metal surface as a first choice.

I think the canonical applicator for Simichrome, when you want to take out a haze of fine scratches, is T-shirt material, though I usually tear up superannuated pairs of drawers.

Best

Michael

I use simichrome and I find it a wonderful product to use. It works well on metals and silver along with minor surface scratches on pens. I am very weary about using it on celluloid if possible. I am sure it is fine but Celluloid is very sensitive to certain chemicals so unless you know what they are, be careful.

I wouldnt use Simichrome on brushed steel caps because it will remove the brushed steel appearance and just make it shiny instead. I use a very small amount, like a pea size and apply it to my finger. Then I rub the simichrome loosley over the pen or the areas that I want polished. I do it until the pen is coated in a light layer of the paste. I let it sit for abouot 10 minutes or at least until it is dry. Then I get a soft (very soft) cloth and then I lightly rub down the pen until the pen really shines up and the paste is completely gone.

I also use pure carnuba wax paste after the simichrome process. I do the same process as the simichrome but instead of a regular cloth, a nice soft buffing cloth works best to give it the super glow appearance. I also find that carnuba wax helps protect pens and especially for pens that are a bit on the UV and sunlight sensitive side. It will make ebonite come alive!!! I bought a used Stipula Novecento in Ebonite and when I got it, it looked like it was partially sun bleached. The simichrome method worked well to get rid a few layers of the damaged Ebonite. By the time I applied a few layers of carnuba wax, it was a different pen all together!!!

OBTW, you might want to use a bit of silicone grease or something inert to lightly go over your imprints on your barrels. If not, you will have white stuff caked inside your imprints.

TNS

Simichrome is a bit mild compared to brasso or neverdull. I agree with you 100% on the cloths used for sunglasses or eyeglasses!! I find these to be the best things to use when you are buffing your pens after waxing and also to just wiper your pens down. They are soft, very soft and they dont scratch and they can help put a wonderful shine on your pens!!


TNS

Another snorkel Ryan? You are hooked aren't you.

I metal capped clip might tighten up a bit with application of a little heat. I've used a heat gun on the cap to help reduce the wiggle. NOTE be careful of applying too much heat near the white dot however. One time, my clip wiggle went away, but so did the dot. It's plastic. It'll scortch if it gets too hot.

Thanks for all the help, guys. I've polished the cap per the given instructions, and the improvement is wonderful - a beautiful shine. I appreciated the tips as I really had no idea what I was doing.

Kendall - Yes, quite a Sheaffer nut these days thanks to you . The Touchdown still has reign as smoothest nib in the kingdom, but this newest acquisition is truly a remarkable writer. I can't get over those Triumph nibs - talk about a combination of form and function.

Cheers All,

Ryan

I am glad to be of assistance!!!

TNS