How Do I Polish SAK Scales

[parman53]

I picked up a SAK cheap but the scales have a lot of marks on them. Probably from carrying it in the same pocket with keys and change. Any way  to buff the dings out? 

[twiliter]

I picked up a SAK cheap but the scales have a lot of marks on them. Probably from carrying it in the same pocket with keys and change. Any way  to buff the dings out? 

I use Mother's mag polish or Blue Magic metal polish, unless they need sanding, then 2000 grit or more first, then polish. 

[Joe58]

I seem to recall someone suggesting toothpaste, but I can't be sure about that.

[GoatDragon]

I picked up a SAK cheap but the scales have a lot of marks on them. Probably from carrying it in the same pocket with keys and change. Any way  to buff the dings out? 

For clarification, these are celidor plastic scales, right?

[parman53]

Yes, just standard red scales

[ebarberena]

I've used several plastic plosher designe for car headlights to good result but i now use this:

http://www.amazon.com/NOVUS-7100-Plastic-Polish-Kit/dp/B002UCYRZU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435623164&sr=8-1&keywords=novus

The kit works great. You might need to use some fine grit sandpaper if the scratches are too deep but if not, this should be enough.

[GigaHz]

I use sandpaper. Use the highest grit to get the scratches out. Then Just keep going higher in grit until you can polish them. I use plastic polish, after all the scratches are gone. If you start too low in grit you will be there a while trying to get the shine back. 

[ebarberena]

I've used several plastic plosher designe for car headlights to good result but i now use this:

http://www.amazon.com/NOVUS-7100-Plastic-Polish-Kit/dp/B002UCYRZU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435623164&sr=8-1&keywords=novus

The kit works great. You might need to use some fine grit sandpaper if the scratches are too deep but if not, this should be enough.

Just a GigaHz said about sand paper: start with #2 first, if it does not remove al the scratches,  try #3 and if not then try sand paper. I've found that I can get away from using sandpaper 50%-70% of the time. Either because I could remove all the scratches with the plastic polish or because the once I couldn't remove would require to much material removal wile wiping with sandpaper and would distort them.

I've found that as long as the scales are shiny I can tolerate some deep scratches. Its the light scuff marks and the dulness that I can't stand.

[coSAK]

Does anyone have experiences with VuPlex?
http://vuplex.co

[RedRamage]

I got some micro mesh pads a while back and did a whole review on them for the old SOSAK site.  They worked amazingly well for me.  It takes a while to go through the whole series but the finished results were almost new looking.

Because I was trying to add some used knives to may collection that I was (Semi-)displaying I wanted them as nice looking as possible and the pads did a great job.   

I don't recall where I got the original kit from, but a quick amazon search turned up these, which look like the same thing:  http://www.amazon.com/MICRO-MESH-SOFT-TOUCH-SANDING/dp/B000H6EC4C/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1435682514&sr=8-4&keywords=micro+polishing+pads&pebp=1435682528571&perid=1QQ1GXMRBEE1HSY5WWA8

[RedRamage]

Hey, look at that... my original article is still online:

http://www.swissarmyknights.com/articles/2007/525-micromesh-and-scale-restoration

[Singh]

I've heard of people using headlight polishing compounds, brasso, angel feathers, and #00000000000000000000000 grit sandpaper.


Me, I'd just spend $8 and get new scales. Slap them on. Done.

[GigaHz]

These ones are a PITA to replace.

[RedRamage]

Me, I'd just spend $8 and get new scales. Slap them on. Done.

I've done a few times, but sometimes it's an older knife, or special design/color and replacement scales aren't cheaply available.

[powernoodle]

Use Mother's Mag Wheel polish from Walmart or Target.  Its not spendy, and one container will last for 19 years.  Apply to the scales with a Q-tip for a minute, or two and wipe off with a soft cloth.  Bingo.

[ebarberena]

Me, I'd just spend $8 and get new scales. Slap them on. Done.

I've done a few times, but sometimes it's an older knife, or special design/color and replacement scales aren't cheaply available.

Although I agree with Shamus that its better to replace scales with new ones when possible (this is how far my modding skills get), there are a lot of "Collectible" scales that are not practical to replaced. I love Cellidro scales with metal inlay logos and polishing them is sometimes the only option.

[ebarberena]

I got some micro mesh pads a while back and did a whole review on them for the old SOSAK site.  They worked amazingly well for me.  It takes a while to go through the whole series but the finished results were almost new looking.

Because I was trying to add some used knives to may collection that I was (Semi-)displaying I wanted them as nice looking as possible and the pads did a great job.   

I don't recall where I got the original kit from, but a quick amazon search turned up these, which look like the same thing:  http://www.amazon.com/MICRO-MESH-SOFT-TOUCH-SANDING/dp/B000H6EC4C/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1435682514&sr=8-4&keywords=micro+polishing+pads&pebp=1435682528571&perid=1QQ1GXMRBEE1HSY5WWA8

Thanks RedRamage  , I'm ordering my set right now. I did find this kit that is a better value  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ELH7AI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=A7O51HGOUZ91S

[hiraethus]

Progressively finer grades of wet and dry paper and finally some Brasso and a polishing mop works for me.  Only takes a few minutes.