I need a pro tool version of my fingernail

[mmaghakian]

one of the most useful tools I have is my fingernail but I would like something more professional.
as an example, if there are some paint spots or other gook on the front panel of a receiver I have found the best way to remove them is my fingernail

it removes them without damaging the front panel itself, metal tools will certainly remove the undesired junk, but the nice front panel is going to be scratched or gouged

I really want something easier to use
I have tried a couple wood and plastic "tools" but none of them come even close to doing the job
Is there something that people can recommend that I have not tried (which are only a few items I had lying around)

 

[bucks bunny]

did you try a guitar plectrum?

 

[mmaghakian]

that is a good idea, I will go to the local music store and look for one that should do the job

 

[InspectorGadget]

yes that, but there is a specific tool used in the computer, phone and electronics service tech industry called a 'spudger' or just google it, there are many different types, in plastic and metal. extremely handy. indispensable even.

 

[InspectorGadget]

they range from the free type you get when you buy a replacement phone battery, right up to some costing $50 or so.

https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313&_nkw=spudger&_sacat=0

 

[mmaghakian]

yes that, but there is a specific tool used in the computer, phone and electronics service tech industry called a 'spudger' or just google it, there are many different types, in plastic and metal. extremely handy. indispensable even.

I have some of those and the plastic is too soft and sharp enough when I tried it


although there may be better ones than what I have

 

[InspectorGadget]

there are definitely better ones. the metal ones are good as well. I have heaps of different types. pity you arent in OZ, i'd pop one in the mail for you.

 

[CharlieLaub]

A good old rubber pencil eraser (the large kind, not the ones on the end of a pencil) can work well. I still have some of these around:
https://www.staples.com/Pentel-Clic-Eraser-Stick-Blue-Barrel-Each/product_500504
The eraser is relatively soft. Looks like this:

For harder bits, a plastic with an equivalent stiffness as your fingernail can be used. Just experiment. Polyethylene might be about right. Buy a thin (e.g. 1mm or so, maybe less) sheet of it and then cut out a rectangle 2cm x 5cm and use the edge to scrape, curving it if you need more stiffness.

 

[InspectorGadget]

this one, or a quality one like it was one of the tougher cheapish ones we used for getting into behind laptop screens etc.

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/LCD-Screen-Disassemble-Tool-opening-spudger_60484404784.html

 

[troystg]

But no other tool will be as handy.

Sorry, had to do it.

 

[mmaghakian]

after getting lots of good ideas I went to the local harbor freight and bought these to try




Putty Scraper Set, 3 Pc.

 

[Disco-Pete]

So the guitar plectrum is the best as per your op. But you'll need to choose a quality hard plastic. Some are cheap soft plastic. Also because they are radiused to a knife edge, you'll need to trim the edge with sharp scissors.

 

[mmaghakian]

will be picking some guitar picks that my wife can also use on her guitar !

 

[Disco-Pete]

The good ones are cellulose acetate. You could probably source sheets in various thickness/size.

 

[NareshBrd]

Typewriter eraser, or combination of hard / soft eraser.
Scothbrite works too, so does polishing emery paper.
Support that with a piece of wooden beading, filed to shape.

 

[Refugee1]

Nobody has said anything about using an old credit card.
They make good car windscreen scrapers and I am pretty sure a windscreen scraper would work for your panel.

 

[Disco-Pete]

yes