Cleaning my Dark Magic

[WyattG]

I've had this Dark Magic for 2 years, give or take, and over these years it's gotten some dirt in its nooks and crannies. How could I clean the stains from the groove where the caps used to be, I was thinking some sort of acid? I also want to polish up the metal rims. Hop would I go about doing that?

[R-fly]

you don't need anything acidic to clean it. Just use some rubbing alcohol and elbow grease. You could most likely use acid if you want but depending on the type of acid and the specific plastic used in the dark magic its possible to damage it. Most plastics are acid resistant but there are certain combos that will not end well for the plastic. As for the aluminum it is for the most part impervious to acid due to its oxide coating. However, aluminum ions complex well with chloride ions so anything with hydrochloric acid will dissolve the aluminum (Al2O3 + HCL --> AlCl3 + H2O).  basically im saying i wouldn't use acid.

[Graiskye]

Soap/detergent/Mr clean and hot water will clean all the plastic parts, without damaging the aluminum.
 I cant really see a reason to go any more corrosive than that.
Use an old toothbrush, or small stiff paint brush to help get the nooks and crannnies.
For the aluminum ,metal polish in will clean them up nicely. There are many threads about polishing metal.
Good luck getting that DM looking like new again, and have fun.
-Peace.

[Namtaro]

If you want a truly polished finished, look here.
http://www.yoyoz.eu/?p=891
Chuck the yoyo on a drill, turn on the on button and apply metal polish. That's the gist of it.
I add an extra step. Right after the fine grain sandpaper, I use #0000 grade steel wool. After that I use metal polish and voila, a shiny new finish!



Do note that if you like to grind, a satin finished would be better and you should stop after the sandpaper. Remember to remove the axle before you do any cleaning , it can rust.