Weird stain or oxidization on silver face knobs (don't use HF ultrasonic cleaner on aluminum knobs)

[markkb]

I've heard of using a weak solution of simple green. Water and dish soap sounds good.

 

[The Fuxtor]

I have always just used dishsoap, hot water and a soft nail brush. works well. Sorry about your misfortune...

 

[biscuithead]

I have done this too!

I ended up using Duplicolor High performance Wheel Coating (silver) to paint over them. Turned out alright.

Now I pull the knobs, place them on a plate, soak with windex, let sit for 3 min. spray another spritz of windex and use a q-tip. When I tried the ultasonic cleaner, some of them had paint on them... now to clean paint off of metal, I use Howards neutral, and then clean the oily residue with windex...

 

[sjfloat]

To clarify, the culprit here was the chemicals used rather than the ultrasonic machine itself, right?. I was planning on trying this with dish detergent or Simply Green.

 

[dlucy]

To clarify, the culprit here was the chemicals used rather than the ultrasonic machine itself, right?. I was planning on trying this with dish detergent or Simply Green.

I have subsequently used the ultrasonic cleaner (device) on the same kind of anodized aluminum knobs and had no problems:

1. I used Simple Green, water and detergent soap
2. Did not use the ultrasonic cleaner powder (from harbor freight)
3. Only left the knobs in the cleaner for 30 seconds

 

[Bodyblue]

To clarify, the culprit here was the chemicals used rather than the ultrasonic machine itself, right?. I was planning on trying this with dish detergent or Simply Green.

Just use some Palmolive and you will be fine. I would avoid Simple Green because it is rather harsh compared to dish soap.

 

[sjfloat]

I just tried a few aluminum knobs using Mrs. Meyers' Clean Day (because it was near the sink and I thought it might tend toward mildness). After several minutes, when it auto-stopped, I couldn't tell any difference at all. I may try again with Dawn and then Simple Green.