Vibratory Tubler or Regular Tumbler, Bolt or Hardware Restoration

[YY1]

I'd love to find something that will take off grime but leave the plating.

I've been experimenting with using just rust converter without paint to simulate a natural or zinc plated finish on fasteners that have been wire brushed.

So far I'm pleased.

 

[Auggie56]

Could use improvement, but you get the idea for a do it your self. White vinegar will clean rust of parts as well.

 

[rakort]

I'd love to find something that will take off grime but leave the plating.

I haven't posted on this topic lately, but generally with the right media, a tumbler will leave the original finish in place while taking off most of the grime. I'll have to get some picture up off all the studs and lug nuts I tumbled. I'm thinking its a great way too get you 80% of the way there.

 

[Pistol Pete]

With some bolts that are troublesome, I'll blast them clean and then put them in the tumbler to knock down the surface a bit. It doesn't polish them so much as remove some of the porosity left by the media blasting.