Plane Restoration - Lever Cap

[Blackswanwood]

I am bringing a Record No 4 back to life. The chrome on the lever cap is not in good shape. What’s the best way to deal with it? I am erring towards cleaning it off, polishing up the metal and just waxing it.

Any thoughts are welcome!

 

[AndyT]

I'd do what you said, but only where the plating is missing. Work back into the plating with some fine abrasive until the edge feathers away safely, then stop.
It only needs to not go rusty, not be shiny all over as well.

If that doesn't work and you take all the plating off, the steel underneath should brush up well enough to look ok.

 

[D_W]

ditto to the above - I generally use a buffing wheel for something like that. Whatever plating comes off near the dark area is probably loose. polish the rest with finger pressure and a cloth or a buff that's very gentle.

It'll look OK (polished cast) but will darken again at some point if the oil layer from the polishing compound comes off.