Polishing Scratches Out Of A Montblanc 146 Cap

[CaptainDan]

I searched the forums, but all of the posts related to this seem to be rather old - I'm making a new post in the event that any new products or techniques came into play over the past couple of years.

 

I recently got a 1988 MB 146 for a good price in great shape (the seller claimed to have had it refurbished by Montblanc before putting it up for auction). The only problem is that there are some light scratches on the cap, as made evident in the attached picture. They are only really noticeable under a bright light, but I would rather them not be there to begin with. I was wondering what the forum would recommend for a polish - would Simichrome suffice, or are there any specific pen polishes that would do a better job?

 

Thanks!

[Beechwood]

There is a seller on here who advocates a specific polish for MBs, others swear by Simichrome and others use Meguiars Plast-RX, my personal favourite.

 

MB Boutiques, or at least my local, offered no better alternative on enquiry.

[CaptainDan]

Thank you! Do you know if any of the three are more damaging than the others? I chiefly want to make sure the problem doesn't get any worse.

[greensparcs]

On fountainpensacs.com they have plastic scratch removers and polish. I love them work great.

[Dr.Grace]

I'd try the pen polish sold by Ron Zorn (http://www.mainstreetpens.com/stuff.htm).

[Chrissy]

I have the Mb pen polish sold on here ages ago, plus Meguiars, plus the one sold by Ron Zorn.

 

I like the Mb polish better than the others for scratches.

 

 

If you ever decided to send your pen in to Mb for a service, then bear in mind they would replace a cap that was broken within the flat charge service rate.

[saskia_madding]

So, I'm reviving this thread to see if there are any new suggestions.

 

I just bought a 145R that has a lot of microscratches I'd like to try polishing off.

 

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/6ecAAOSwp1Bc2YMp/s-l1600.jpg

 

I called the MB boutique nearby who suggested a dry cloth to polish sterling silver. <MAJOR EYE ROLL FROM ME>

 

Anyone ever polished a MB "precious resin" barrel? What did you use?

[Beechwood]

So, I'm reviving this thread to see if there are any new suggestions.

 

I just bought a 145R that has a lot of microscratches I'd like to try polishing off.

 

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/6ecAAOSwp1Bc2YMp/s-l1600.jpg

 

I called the MB boutique nearby who suggested a dry cloth to polish sterling silver. <MAJOR EYE ROLL FROM ME>

 

Anyone ever polished a MB "precious resin" barrel? What did you use?

 

 

For light scratches I would still offer the same advice that I gave in 2014, Meguiars Plast-X, good for light scratches/microscratches and leaves very little powder.

 

I havent used Rons pen polish but I am sure it will do the job

 

http://www.mainstreetpens.com/stuff.htm

[bsenn]

Micro mesh. See Brian Anderson's blog:

 

https://blog.andersonpens.com/zen-and-the-art-of-pen-polishing-micro-mesh/

[Dr.X]

I've done this to a Montblanc. Before reading Brian's brilliant post, so with dry pads. From Amazon.

 

It works like a charm. Be careful with the nib, though - mine is no longer two-tone, and that bums me out.

[Freddy]

I use Micro-Gloss liquid abrasive, Type 1 Polish & Cleaner. {'tis a water base product..that's safe on plastics..works well }

This product is used daily on fighter jet canopies..........

Fred

[Greenie]

MIcromesh pads moving from less fine to finer. Worked wonders on my MB 146

[austinwft]

I use Micro-Gloss liquid abrasive, Type 1 Polish & Cleaner. {'tis a water base product..that's safe on plastics..works well }

This product is used daily on fighter jet canopies..........

Fred

 

On most surface scratches I've dealt with I've found the NOVUS products to do an amazing job.

 

And when you follow the Novus 2 Fine Scratch Remover with the Micro-Gloss Type 1 Polish, available from both Main Street Pens and Anderson pens, you'll get an amazingly glossy finish.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Novus-7100-Plastic-Polish-Kit/dp/B002UCYRZU/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=novus&qid=1561495410&s=gateway&sr=8-1

[FredRydr]

MIcromesh pads moving from less fine to finer. Worked wonders on my MB 146

 

Which grade(s)? https://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/mmr_sheets.htm

[Karmachanic]

 

Which grade(s)? https://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/mmr_sheets.htm

Click and read the link in post #9

[CS388]

I would have used polishes and abrasive fluids, before I discovered micro-mesh.

Now I use micro-mesh for all of my polishing needs.

 

Work through the grades - if I have heavy scatching or marks, I may start with a coarser grit (3000 or thereabouts)

Then I'll work through the grits in order, until I reach 12000, which is more like a polishing cloth than a 'sandpaper'.

It's the simplest of systems, the finer grit removes the scraching from the previous grit, all the way through.

 

There is material loss, so I wouldn't use it on imprints or plated metal.

[bsenn]

I would have used polishes and abrasive fluids, before I discovered micro-mesh.

Now I use micro-mesh for all of my polishing needs.

...

 

There is material loss, so I wouldn't use it on imprints or plated metal.

I tape imprints, cap bands, clips, etc and generally remove the tape partway through the 8000 step (depends on the pen).

 

Brian

[FredRydr]

Click and read the link in post #9

 

Thank you! There are so many many posts and links on the topic, and that link helps. I've only had polishing experience with celluloids, hard rubber and metals, and now I'm faced with this black Balance II to polish. I have to learn afresh with modern plastics, especially Micro-Mesh.

Edited March 15, 2020 by FredRydr

[CS388]

Hello Fred

 

If you're just polishing, as opposed to repair, I'd keep away from the coarser grades -eg nothing under 8000 - 10000 etc. (Speaking from my own, non-professional experience!)

 

Good luck.

Edited March 16, 2020 by CS388