I used to use steel wool on my 60's MIJ Stuart drums when I was a kid.

Steel wool gets the gunk off but it also leaves millions of tiny scratches.

If you look at new chrome it's like glass. Chrome that has had steel wool used on it has a shiny appearance but it doesn't have that mirror like quality.

Also if the chrome is pitted with rust, it will flake off the chrome around the pits and make it even worse.

Agree with clubdate64 it's the tiny scratches, though I too have used it on MIJ kits. Obviously for anything you're going to keep it's your call [as in "one" or the general "you"], but if it's an American vintage kit for sale you might have people coming over with a magnifying glass...:)

Mitch

Not sure why. I've used 0000 grade steel wool to remove rust on rims with no problem. I've used aluminum foil with no problem as well.

I wouldn't use it to polish anything with a mirror-like finish (chrome wrap, paint, etc).

Personally I try and avoid using it on chrome covered items, for the reasons mentioned above. But I feel with the 0000 It hasn't left any, even tiny scratches. Then again I'm also not putting my full body into it when I've used it. I gingerly press down, enough to remove the surface gunk, then will use whatever is best ( wd-40,etc... ) to really get in and get the finer gunk.

One thing to consider, in light of your description of how you use steel wool, is that maybe the warning is a sort of catch-all, since who knows how others will use it, as in too aggressively...so it's like "best just to stay away from that" kind of deal...?

Mitch

Mitch that would make sense. As they say " some things are best left to professionals " Not calling myself a professional by any means. But yes I do agree, and I can easily see people going to town like animals and just butchering what they are working on. Might not be a bad idea to make a short video showing the best way to use finer grade steel wool without causing serious damage to what is being worked on.

No matter which grade of steel wool you use, you ARE scratching the chrome. In case of 0000 fine grade, whilst you may not see the minute scratches with the naked eye, they are there. What should be obvious though is a visible dullness compared to the original surface. If you do an A-B on a scrap section of chrome tube you should see this.

You can easily & accidently go right through some of the thin "MIJ" style chrome with steel wool.. Thank God for decent Premier/Slingerland plating...

The best options are "Brass or Bronze" fine wool or plain old aluminium foil, both of which are softer than chrome and will not scratch it. They should be used wet with either water, "Coke" or a mild acid. It will form a sludge which should be frequently wiped off with clean dry cloth. Note that wet aluminium foil has the added advantage of creating a chemical reaction that will assist in neutralizing the rust.

You should then finish with some metal polish or car wax to slow down the (inevitable) return of the "Rust that never sleeps"

IMO..

Cheers

John

I've never had the dullness after using steel wool. I've actually had the complete opposite. Might need to take a before and after photo with a test tube, and really get in there with the camera. I'm not doubting anyone, I've just never personally had those experiences.

Ya, I would like to see a photo of two lugs, one with the steel wool used on it and one without. I do believe steel wool will cause micro scratches but is it enough to worry about, when you buy a kit do you get out a magnifying glass and check the chrome for micro scratches? Heck seems like so many kits/snares are purchased over the internet so how do you check then? It all comes down the to person doing the work I guess and how picky they are.