Pedal rod polish

[Frank Freniere]

I admit in 5 years I've never polished my pedal rods - I can't even remember what they looked like new. But now they're a deep, dull (and dirty) grey. So I bought some Mother's Mag & Aluminum polish, spread it around, wiped it off and ... now the rods are a little less dirty but no significant change to dull and grey. Is this the best result I can expect or is there another way to shine 'em up?

[Jerry Overstreet]

They must be plain steel v. chrome plate. My first Derby had those steel rods. You can polish them until they're gone and they just won't shine. I tried Happich Semi-Chrome, Mothers, all that with no results.

Charlie later started having them chrome plated and so I was able to change them out then.

[Richard Sinkler]

All of my guitars i have owned (9) had stainless steel pedal rods. Mothers works great on them. Semichrome is good too. I rub them pretty hard to get them shiny.

[Doug Earnest]

Lots of rods are bright zinc plated. Sometimes it stays nice and shiny and other batches turn a chalky gray. As far as I know you can't do much other than what you have already tried. You could get some colored shrink wrap tubing to decorate them.

[Frank Freniere]

They must be plain steel v. chrome plate. My first Derby had those steel rods. You can polish them until they're gone and they just won't shine. I tried Happich Semi-Chrome, Mothers, all that with no results.

Charlie later started having them chrome plated and so I was able to change them out then.

I don't know their exact composition, Jerry, but you're right: I could polish those rods til the cows come home & they wouldn't shine up.

[Bobby D. Jones]

Once you get the rods polished, A good coat of wax will help keep sweat and skin oils from leaving smears and stains on the rods.

[Larry Allen]

The motorcycle guys. (Including me) have always used the Xtreem for chrome, SS and aluminum, make it like new, your polish rag will turn black..

[Bobby D. Jones]

There is a tube of polishing compound called Metal Glow, Evens sold on Amazon. That will polish about any metal. Its used a lot for polishing knives, The Brass, Nickel silver and steel. Will polish steel knife blades like mirrors. I have a tube of Metal Glow, I have used on Knives, Carving Chisels, SS pull rods.
Wear rubber gloves, Polish cloth and your hands will turn black.