Never used any metal polish product on a razor before but this week I got myself a tube of Maas metal polish to test it out. I got my old Gillette Black Tip (the all stainless steel version) from the 50's and cut up an old, worn out t-shirt into some rags and got to work. Before photos: After about 20 minutes a couple of the rags now looked like this: ..and the razor looked like this: It may not look like a big difference in the pictures but in person it's quite a bit more shiny..and by the look of that rag...a few ounces lighter due to the dirt removal... A, to me, successful attempt to bring some 'shine' back to my old razor and I think I'll go through them all as I get to them.
You'll be amazed at the amount of black gunk Mass will continue to remove. I believe some of the color (black) is the substance's chemical reaction to the metal, however—not all is gunk.
as a beginner in restos I took some Maas to my NOS Revisor where I slid off the hone and put some fine scratches in the blade and they came right out. Great stuff but it did take some rubbing
Nicely done. I used Brasso for my first restore a few weeks ago, and it turned out great but then I heard Brasso wasn't a good choice for razors because apparently it can damage the finish. I had no trouble with it at the time but am considering getting some Maas so I don't ruin any of my razors. Amazing how much better they look after just a little cleaning! I love before and after pictures. They really tell a story.
Just be careful with Maas it can also remove the finish off of some razors - I prefer Miracle Cloth which does a great job and won't do any damage to your razor.
I used Maas for the first time yesterday. Used it on a badly worn gold ball-end tech I was experimenting with, and because the plating was so spotty and thin, it took off all the gold plating on the head of the razor. (Not unexpected, since it was in rough shape to begin with, and I am thinking of sending it in for replating eventually anyway.) But it did shine the head beautifully. Might get it Nickel replated, since I don't think I could replate it in gold and make back the investment by selling it... so it may become a razor for using, not collecting. Also used Maas to touch up the Slim I have, the SS Flare Tip, and another nickel ball end tech I had previously worked on a little with Brasso, toothpaste, vinegar and baking soda, etc. The Maas helped all three to look shinier and cleaner. This stuff really does work. But I would caution anyone who is going to try to use it on a thinly-plated or spottily-plated razor to think twice. Finally, I used Maas to clean off an old nickel-plated cigarette case/business card case I bought a couple of decades ago. It was badly tarnished, and dull looking. The Maas made it look as good -- maybe even better -- than new. I tried it on the head of a brass knife sharpener too, and it cleaned it up very well. Impressive stuff. May try it on an inexpensive straight razor I am going to send away for honing. A little of the Maas seems to go a long ways, too.
The majority of metal polishes should NOT be used on gold-plated razors....unless one wishes to remove it.
Agreed... In this case, removing the gold on the head was an improvement. It was really gnarly looking. May just have it completely chemically stripped. Or use it as my "I don't give a darn if the TSA confiscates it" travel razor for the overnight trips where I'm not checking a bag.