Fixing Minimoog knobs...

[thealien666]

Hi all. I was wondering if anyone had an idea on how to get rid of aluminum corrosion (known as white rust) on the center part of Minimoog knobs ? I've tried a few things but to no avail.

I could get a set of brand new knobs for about $120, but if I can get those aluminum centers looking like new otherwise, I could use that money for something more useful. It's purely a cosmetic concern.

An ideas ?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

P.S. I've included a link below to a close-up of a few of them. Some are more corroded than others.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47250566@N ... hotostream

[Voltor07]

Dunno about fixing the corrosion...would it be possible to try and find the inserts on eBay in sticker form? Otherwise, DeOxid or some such chemical might work. What about Silvo, from the makers of Brasso? Have you tried that? Of course, that's only if vinegar doesn't work.

[CZ Rider]

The vinegar sounds like a good idea. I know those inlays don't like to be polished, as the swirl/metal-turned finish will dissapear with any kind of harsh metal polish.
The other alternative is to get new inlays. They sell them at CAE sound, and they have almost every one needed for a Mini. A package of 20 sells for $15.00 US. Not sure how easy removing the existing ones would be, but I have seen the stock inlays simply fall off on hot humid days.
Here is a link to CAE:
CAE Sound parts page
They seem like nice people that cater to restoring old electronic instruments like Hammonds, Rhodes, ARP's and Moogs. Can order by phone during their regular hours. Not sure how much shipping to Canada would be?
But I don't recommend "polishing your knob".

[thealien666]

...But I don't recommend "polishing your knob".

Hahaha ! Especially not with something like Brasso !

Thanks for the link CZ Rider. I didn't know it was possible to get only the inlays. I've already got the in-laws for the holidays...

And Voltor07, thanks also for your suggestions. I've already tried vinegar, also a product called "CLR". None of those made any difference. Didn't try Brasso for aluminum yet, but I'll bet it won't do miracles as you already need a ton of elbow grease to polish aluminum wheels with it. But I'll sure give it a try as soon as I can get a can of it.

If I decide to replace only the inlays, they shouldn't be too difficult to remove, as a couple have already fallen off with my attempts at restoring them. I simply hot-glued them back on temporarily.

Thanks again guys.

[Voltor07]

CZ's suggestion of replacing the inlays seems to be the best option. Especially when you can get them for less than a dollar each!

[Trigger]

If all else fails, you could buy new knobs from Dotcom. AFAIK, they buy from Cosmo, the original supplier, so they are as stock as possible. I bought a few pointer knobs from them a while back--they were about $4 each.
I've also done business with CAE, and my experience was also positive.

[thealien666]

If all else fails, you could buy new knobs from Dotcom. AFAIK, they buy from Cosmo, the original supplier, so they are as stock as possible. I bought a few pointer knobs from them a while back--they were about $4 each.
I've also done business with CAE, and my experience was also positive.

Yeah, I knew about Dotcom's complete Minimoog knobs kit for $108 +shipping. Cosmo sells those knobs for around a dollar each when you buy...over 1000 of them! But you cannot buy a smaller quantity than that from them unfortunately.

I consider $4 +shipping each to be excessive. I'd go as high as $2 each but not more. Especially when they cost only a few pennies each to produce...

That's why I'll contact CAE during next week about getting all inlays for around $27 +shipping.

Thanks for the feedback, Trigger.

[Portamental]

Watch out for those Silvo Brasso etc. They can be abrasive, agressive at the very least and ruin precious metal parts pretty fast. Luckily, i came across Gibson's Low Abrasion Metal Cleaner (part of their guitar restauration kit). Fine product, safe to use on platings and metals used in musical instruments. It did bring some grimmy pick-up covers and tuning machines I thought desperate back to life. (I have ruined some earlier with Brasso).

Just tried some on my D's knobs, the ones with some small amount of your white rust. They came out real nice. Now a couple dozens more want the same treatment