Dropped tone bar on side walk - can it be smoothed out?

[David DeLoach]

I dropped my tone bar on the sidewalk a couple days ago and it has a couple small burrs that are very noticeable when playing.

Is there a way to smooth the tone bar down, or should I just buy another one?

[L. Bogue Sandberg]

If it's stainless steel or delrin plastic, you might be able to save it if the nicks aren't too deep. I've used 320 grit and progressively finer sand papers to take out some bad scratches then metal polish to bring the shine back. All you have to lose is your time.

If its a plated or ceramic bar, it's probably doomed.

[Gene Tani]

If i had to buy a new bar every time i dropped it...

can you visually (mark dings with red sharpie) or tactilely hold it so the burrs are always above the strings? Or put a piece of tape on the square end that says "This end up"