How can I clean this joystick up?

[Jimbo]

I have an old black MCA joystick taken out of an Electrocoin cabinet.  I LOVE this joystick, the throw is perfect for shoot'em ups, its got nice resistance and quick actuation, and I really want to use it in my cab project... BUT... the ball-top looks very worn and has lots of scratches.

Any ideas for how to make this ball-top look like new again?  Is it even possible?  I'd buy a new one but I've only found it available in Australia, and I'm in the UK.

Thanks

[lamprey]

Not sure if this will help or not, but...

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=141689

[adder]

some really fine wet and dry sanding paper would smooth it off, but u might lose the shine, dont know if that's a problem

are u in the uk? have u joined the jamma+ forums, really good active scene of uk arcade guys, u should check it out
there might be someone over there who has a spare part of what u need

[drventure]

Wet sand it, and then hit it with a buffing wheel. Should shine back up no problem.

[Jimbo]

Cheers guys... will give your suggestions a go and report back with pics 

[menace]

Wet sand it, and then hit it with a buffing wheel. Should shine back up no problem.

+1--I did this to an old balltop and it came out great.  Also did this to a plexiglass front and the scratch was hardly noticeable after.  Get some NOVUS polish--I use #2 for generally everything.

[Sarver Systems]

Throw some Novus 3 on an old buffing wheel?
Then Novus 2.

<insert polishing your knob joke here>

[Wired203]

My suggestion is about 12 bucks,  go to a auto supply store and purchase a headlight restoration kit.  I have used the turtle wax one on my cars lenses with great success.  They come with 2 different grade sand paper pads,  then a buffing compound to restore the shine afterwards.  Now the round shape will make it difficult to maintain while using abrasives so while your scratches may be gone and it is shiney it may not be a perfect sphere anymore unless you take great care in the restoration.

[yotsuya]

I agree with you on the awesomeness of those MCAs.

[WindDrake]

Chuck the joystick shaft up in a 1/2" drill when polishing. Helps keep the ball a sphere.

[RandyT]

Chuck the joystick shaft up in a 1/2" drill when polishing. Helps keep the ball a sphere.

Good advice.  I'd also use a wet and somewhat worn ScotchBrite pad as a first step.  Then use a firm sponge with, with increasingly smaller polishing grit sizes, to even out the surface.  Then use wet, heavy felt with some polishing compound to finish.

[Jimbo]

I had a go tonight after getting hold of some Novus 3, 2 and 1.  I couldn't get the shaft completely out but I managed to get the retaining clip and rubber grommet off so I could still use my drill.

The Novus 3 didn't seem to do much but wet sanding did.  Then proceeded with novus 2 and novus 1 buffing.

It's come out pretty nice, but I think I could get it to shine more. It's certainly a lot nicer than it was!

[WindDrake]

Very nice!