Thanks for the reply! As I said, the only way I knew to describe exactly what this looks like, is as if it were just plated. It's a real block of silver. I have no doubt about that. I'll check around locally and find some metal polish to try. I was worried that polish may leave behind some kind of residue that might react with the Arctic Cooling MX-2 I'll be using. Thanks again.

The base plate (the silver part) arrived discolored. It looks as if the base plate was made of brass and the silver plating has somehow dissolved. This is not the case, of course, this is the only way I know to accurately describe what it looks like. I need some recommendations on how to clean the base plate of these stains. When I received this block, it was vacuum sealed in its original package and I have no idea how it came to look like it does. I can't post a picture as I have no camera or a...