Good way to clean "gold" hardware?

[customxke]

I've used oven cleaner to remove gold plating.

[Chaz Da Bwa]

Brasso? I don't know - anybody got any cool ways of shining or cleaning the "gold" hardware that's on so many jazz guitars? I guess it's actually brass.

Spit doesn't work - that much I've learned
Anybody?

kj

WD-40

[sgosnell]

Naptha should do the job. The easiest way to find it is as lighter fluid. It won't harm nitro lacquer, but will remove most tarnish, without removing any metal coatings.

[archtopeddy]

Interesting thread. It has gone from cleaning gold hardware to removing gold hardware. But does anyone know how to "age" gold hardware? I have a 1959 Airline Town and Country that has well-naturally aged gold pickups but with replacement gold machine heads that are too shiny and new looking. Any suggestions here?