Polish screwdriver shaft

[Zsid]

I just purchased a NOS Pratt-Reed screwdriver and the shaft has some signs of aging. Can I polish the screwdriver to make it chrome and ‘shiny’ again?
I am not sure if polishing the shaft would work because I am not sure if the shaft was originally plated or polished. I have attached a picture of the screwdriver.

 

[TheLawnRanger]

The screwdriver is from Poland? I don't see why that would keep you from making it shine.

 

[tamaraw]

I would probably just try it and see what happens. Given that it is NOS and hasn't seen significant wear from usage, I am inclined to think that it is probably not plated. But even in the case of damaged plating, polish will still help neutralize any corrosion even if it isn't a uniform mirror finish.

 

[Grokew]

Weimann wipes or chrome wipes?

 

[Firebrick43]

Seriously? We are really talking about polishing shafts now?

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Use tinfoil to clean/polish chrome.

 

[Zsid]

Weimann wipes or chrome wipes?

I had a can of mothers mag and aluminum polish that I was thinking of using. I’ll try it out tomorrow and I’ll attach a pic if it goes well

 

[Lesserstore]

Those screwdrivers are from the "Black Pearl" line and had zinc plating. I use Quick Glo chrome polish and rust remover, but any polish should work.

 

[Zsid]

I had a can of mothers mag and aluminum polish that I was thinking of using. I’ll try it out tomorrow and I’ll attach a pic if it goes well

It worked. I polished the flathead screwdriver which had a lot of aging. I have attached a pic comparing it to a less aged and unpolished Phillips head Pratt and read NOS screwdriver that I also just recently purchased.

Edit: should I be concerned about corrosion? In the process of polishing the shaft, did I remove any sort of corrosion inhibitor

 

[Grokew]

That looks nice.

 

[Al Borland]

Probably should use a lubricant when polishing your shaft.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Use tinfoil to clean/polish chrome.

Do you mean aluminum foil? https://www.lacademie.com/tin-foil-vs-aluminum-foil/