I own one, but it bugs me

[Alan H]

I'm not usually someone to get fussy over details, but my black "dressy" kilt belt has a chromed buckle. It's REALLY shiny. Like...really, really shiny.

I think they look great on pipe bands, but I just hate the thing on myself. ON MYSELF. This is my personal preference and if you happen to just absolutely love your shiny chromed belt buckle, then dude...wear it and smile.

One of these days when I have spare $$ I'm going to get a nicely finished pewter buckle that has a more "antique" look to it, and that will be my "pretty dressy" buckle, that goes up to but no including "black tie"..

BTW, anybody that announces in this thread that chromed belt buckles are evil, all the time, on anybody, attempting to sound the ultimate voice of authority will get fed to Monkey@Arms in small pieces.

However, I STILL don't like them.

[Ealisaid]

Dear Alan, could you use fine sandpaper and soften the shine yourself?

[Alan H]

Dear Alan, could you use fine sandpaper and soften the shine yourself?

Now, there's a thought. That never occurred to me. Great idea!

[MacKay71 Wife]

Dear Alan, could you use fine sandpaper and soften the shine yourself?

Unless you don't want to damage it and save it for future "black tie" outfits, sounds like a plan!!

[McMurdo]

I felt the same way, also my chrome buckle was not that well made, shortly after buying the new one my chrome buckle broke on me. This is what I've got now:


I would recommend one of these, I got mine from Steve at Oconee Leather Works.

[Kiltboy]

steel wool can help dull a shiny finish.

[Rex_Tremende]

Wouldn't some sort of metal antiquing product do the trick?

Regards,
Rex.

[dfmacliam]

Sand blast it for that desert weathered look... LOL, but seriously, I am like you, I am not keen on shiny, or sparkley things... I like silver that has a bit of a dull finish... But then again, in a formal sense, wearing a jacket, you would forego the belt, right?

[Deirachel]

Something I've learned from my woodworking (making a faux antique means you don't do shiny)....

Careful with anything that will leave big scratches. Steel wool and sandpaper have that habit, if you have a very delicate touch it will work.

How I do it though:

Grab some ultra-fine grit sandblasting powder and toss the buckle in with the powder in a bag. Then, toss it on something that will vibrate the whole deal. I use the mechanism from a back massager cushion. Toss in some freshly recharged batteries (I know, saying to use rechargable batteries instead of normal ones doesn't seem right) into the machine, and let it go until the batteries die, or until the buckle is the shine you want.

Then, if you really want the "antique" patina, use some black liquid shoe polish or black ink. Wipe it on, wipe it off, let it dry.

[Nighthawk]

I have one of these:



https://www.usakilts.com/store/secur...oducts/636.JPG

It's $40, and it's the coolest buckle I have ever seen. Just a thought... since it's not all that expensive.