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Thorens TD 160 Polished Platter

alectrevelya

alectrevelya

Member
After seeing numerous photos and videos of vintage turntables with beautifully polished and buffed platters, I decided to do my own on my TD 160.

I started by using 600 grit sandpaper with Brasso cleaner. This took much of the tarnish off the platter as it was VERY tarnished and discoloured before cleaning after 42 years of being handled with grubby fingers.

Next, I introduced water and 1000 grit sandpaper and sanded for about 10 minutes. Then I wet sanded again with 2000 grit sandpaper for an additional 10 minutes. After this, I used a piece of beautiful 3M brand 3000 grit sandpaper and sanded for about another 10 minutes.

After the sanding was complete, I used Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish to bring out the shine. What a difference! I would recommend this method to anyone... I was going to do another pass with 4000 grit sandpaper, but was unable to locate any at Canadian Tire.

BEFORE
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AFTER
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Looks good. I used to use sand-paper for this kind of thing until I discovered that a green scotch pad and water is just as effective, and faster.
 
Great work! You know you could use AutoSol and an electric buffer and save the elbow grease - right? AutoSol would give it a mirror finish even now.
 
Anybody have any ideas on how to "clean up" the edge of an aluminum platter similar to what OP did (great job by the way) but without the high gloss finish. I'd rather it match the brushed finish of the rest of the turntable. You can see the discoloration of the platter in the attached photo.

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tnsilver said:
Great work! You know you could use AutoSol and an electric buffer and save the elbow grease - right? AutoSol would give it a mirror finish even now.
Click to expand...
I actually went out and grabbed some Autosol and went over it again with a microfiber cloth and then a chamois with some Mothers California Gold Carnauba Wax to slow down the oxidation process.

I have read that to achieve a true mirror finish with aluminum, Jewellers Rouge with a high speed buffer is the best way.
 
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malden said:
Looks good. I used to use sand-paper for this kind of thing until I discovered that a green scotch pad and water is just as effective, and faster.
Click to expand...

Thank you for this suggestion! I ran across this thread after Googling suggestions for cleaning the outer edge of a TD-160 platter. Mine came in very cuffed up condition due to it being a thrift store find. Your idea worked well.

Here's the before and after.

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Here’s my 160 with polished platter. I only used a buffing wheel on a bench grinder with blue polishing compound.


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Nice job, all!

I use real stainless steel wool or scrubbies, that I get from the Dollar Store ($1.25 Canadian for three). That's about $0.01 USD. Just the steel wool, a dash of water, elbow grease, and a paper towel to wipe off the mess, and voila - shiny zinc!
 
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