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How to clean an HH Scott Faceplate?

marantzfan

marantzfan

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I just acquired a really nice looking HH Scott Stereomaster 399 and aside from a busted (but repairable) cabinet and a slightly bent faceplate, she's a beauty!

Now, I have already started putting the cabinet back together and have the faceplate and knobs off for cleaning but I've read that the lettering comes off really easily. So, what do you guys recommend to use for cleaning the faceplate? This one isn't very dirty but could use a little shine. Is soapy water and then brasso ok?
 
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Hi Marantzfan, I have a HH Scott 399 when I bought I cleaned the face plate with Gojo and soft cloth. No damage the letters and is really good. Don't use brasso because is abrasive and may damage the letters. Cheers.
 
Brasso is abrasive. Mild, but still an abrasive.

Usually I do a wipe down with rubbing alcohol as it will disolve a lot of pollutants that deposit on faceplates. If you are near an auto supply store that carries refinishing products, DX33 by Ditzler is a cleaning solvent that is effective at removing silicone residue, and will work as a gentle cleaner/cleaning solvent for almost all finishes except Shellaq.

On the off chance at some point in the future a relettering kit is made available for that model, then you can strip the clear coat off, polish the brass, and apply clear lacquer, apply lettering and a final coat of lacquer to protect the lettering and then you are in like Flynn.
 
bichitus said:
Hi Marantzfan, I have a HH Scott 399 when I bought I cleaned the face plate with Gojo and soft cloth. No damage the letters and is really good. Don't use brasso because is abrasive and may damage the letters. Cheers.
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Good to know. I always see pictures online of vintage Scott pieces with a high shine. How are people doing that without forsaking the lettering?
 
When I clean a Faceplate I use 409 and a soft soft tooth brush with the faceplate off I then follow up with non abrasive car wax.Be careful to go easy on the lettering the car wax works well on Mcintosh chrome and painted surfaces.
 
I just cleaned my Kenwood Ka-6100, (recent purchase). I had the usual fingerprints, grime, etc. Based on some recommendations found here. I used a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, (lightly damp), remove knobs first, wiped dry, and used a good car wax. Except for the few deep scratches, it has a very new appearance.
 
To be clear, I've cleaned dozens of Marantz, Sansui, Pioneer, Kenwood, etc. my understanding is that Scott faceplates are harder to clean without removing the lettering than others.

Anyone with specific experience with Scott faceplates?
 
bichitus said:
Hi Marantzfan, I have a HH Scott 399 when I bought I cleaned the face plate with Gojo and soft cloth. No damage the letters and is really good. Don't use brasso because is abrasive and may damage the letters. Cheers.
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I use a spray called "Amazing", got it at the $$ store... Really cleans well, and polishes also...Also, toothpaste works as a very fine abrasive polish...

Like your Avatar, by the way!!

Regards,
John
 
Yeah, the lettering on Scotts is pretty fragile. I've had limited success with soaking in mild dish soap and wiping with windex but you must be very careful not to scrub - just a gentle wipe. Even after cleaning I've found that a fair amount of smudging remains however a coat of car wax seems to hide it very well and even out the finish.
 
strat10 said:
Not to be disrespectful but I think your over thinking cleaning a faceplate jmo
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Maybe, but you can't put the letters back on if you wipe em off....

Regardless, I've got this one done. I used a very soft sponge very light pressure and hot water with dish soap. Then, I polished the faceplate with Nevr-Dull. Looks nice. :)
 
I have a very nice Scott 340a receiver (gold face). I removed my faceplate and cleaned it thoroughly with a soft cotton cloth and WD40 followed by using NUFinish auto polish (orange plastic bottle). The results were very nice. I lost no lettering in the process but I concur with posters above--watch how much pressure you apply. Just be careful.
 
I used Zep Stainless Steel Polish, in a spray. Sprayed on rag and a light wipe down, no scrubbing.
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marantzfan said:
Maybe, but you can't put the letters back on if you wipe em off....

Regardless, I've got this one done. I used a very soft sponge very light pressure and hot water with dish soap. Then, I polished the faceplate with Nevr-Dull. Looks nice. :)
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Any pictures you can show us?

I think it's one of the most beautiful receivers ever produced.
 
So there were brass ones earlier, as I thought all the old late 50's to early 60's Scott face plates were anodized aluminium?
 
damaged scott 299 face plate

so if the plate has a scrape at one of the corners and i can straighten this , any advise on filling it and finishing it to look reasonable?
 
I don't believe it will be possible to anodize any patch on the face plate. I know this isn't helpful to our needs (as I also could benefit with a refinish on Scott face repair) but I think the whole plate would have to be stripped and replated and screened for lettering? I know this is a VERY OLD post from 2015 but so many folks could benefit from this repair if it ever becomes possible.










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My 340B and my 130 have durable lettering, I think the more fragile ones are the very metallic looking gold faces. Either way I've never used more than mild soap and water. Luckily mine have all been fairly clean when I got them.
 
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