Rub and Buff on a graflex clamp

[kursosawa]

hey all, i recently purchased a graflex clamp from Jeff Parks (I know, I know, but no one else was selling a clamp at the time :cry) but sadly the nickel plating is a liittle thin and there is a more than slight brass tinge to the thing. That being said, could i use rub and buff on the clamp to better match the color of an original graflex clamp? Ive never used this stuff before, so any and all tips/tricks/advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Fyberdyne Labs]

Well, that might work but I am not sure the rub and buff is more silver them chrome. You can get a good shine. Used just a dab on the tip of your finger. A little goes a long way. Good thing about rub and buff a little dish soap will take it off.
Good luck.
Mark

hey all, i recently purchased a graflex clamp from Jeff Parks (I know, I know, but no one else was selling a clamp at the time :cry) but sadly the nickel plating is a liittle thin and there is a more than slight brass tinge to the thing. That being said, could i use rub and buff on the clamp to better match the color of an original graflex clamp? Ive never used this stuff before, so any and all tips/tricks/advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[clancampbell]

Send it back for a replacement, unless you've caused the brass to show through from excessive polishing....

Rich

 

[kursosawa]

Send it back for a replacement, unless you've caused the brass to show through from excessive polishing....

Rich

Nope, the clamp came with that brass color. as for sending it back, Jeff claims that all his clamps at present have the same brass hue as this batch was from a different manufacturer. guh

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

Real Graflex clamps are stamped and formed out if thin sheet steel. (hence the rust spots and corrosion)

Parks were steel at one time because I polished one with a buffing wheel to a mirror shine many years ago.

 

[WhiteShadow]

go to caswellplating.com. they have small plating kits for around $40 that should take care of a clamp easily

 

[Mah-Al Thorn]

I just checked out the "Plug N' Plate" video on Caswell. <sarcasm>Awesome background music!</sarcasm> Seriously, that does look like a great way to patch up damaged plating without making a major investment.

My question is, what exactly is the original Graflex clamp plated with? It doesn't look like chrome. Is it nickel?

Here's the clamp I need to clean up:

 

[scottjua]

What was the result on this?

 

[Kevin Gossett]

I can attest to the brass hue on the recent Parks clamps... Polished mine a bit too much, and now it's nice and rosey. I'd like to get it chromed, as mine is an AFBB. Any affordable options out there?

 

[Mah-Al Thorn]

I can attest to the brass hue on the recent Parks clamps... Polished mine a bit too much, and now it's nice and rosey. I'd like to get it chromed, as mine is an AFBB. Any affordable options out there?

I tried nickel plating a too-bronze Parks Graflex clamp using a really cheap plating kit, but it made no difference whatsoever. Chrome seems a bit too much to me. I like the nickel. But chrome would be better than the yellow Parks' clamps. What's up with that, anyway? It's not like they could be unaware of the problem. How hard would it be for them to tell their supplier, "Hey, these are too yellow. Don't skimp on the nickel plating"? :unsure

 

[gunnerk19]

Chrome tape? Bare Metal foil?

 

[Kevin Gossett]

Gave the Rub 'n Buff a try today and wasn't happy with the results... If I weren't going for the AFBB look, it would've been OK. Back to the drawing board

 

[scottjua]

hmmm... that sucks... let us know what you try next. I have one of these gold parks clamps too, and on a vintage looks horrible.

 

[Kevin Gossett]

Went with chrome tape and it looks great! Although that isn't the best route I guess for a weathered version

 

[Kevin Gossett]

Here's a pic, excuse the smudges and dust: