brass lamp

[TiggerToo]

I have aquired a wonderful brass anchor lamp, complete with Fresnel lens. A real heavy duty affair that looks the ticket. I intend to use it for its original purpose and, when not in use, it could adorn the cabin. What would the esteemed forumites recommend I do re polishing:

 

[michael_w]

As an anchor light anorak, I've got three of them! You'll find they are next to useless as a cabin light. The lens throws the light in a narrow horizontal band. To get a worthwhile light source you need a non lensed (?) chimney or a lamp with a mantle for really bright light.

The narrow band is perfect for marking your position at anchor though! My best one can be seen a couple of miles away and that is with a flame about the size of a fingernail.

 

[Endeavourquay]

You can get a clear laquer that will protect the metal from the elements, unless you find polishing therapeutic, many do, /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Gordonmc]

Polish it with brasso or whatever then put a smear of warm vaseline on, spreading over the surface.
It won't last forever but it will prevent tarnishing and is easy enough to clean off next time you need to use the brasso.
I have a cabin lamp that doubles as a cockpit lamp hanging from the back-stay when I spend the night on the mooring to help me back to the boat in the dark. I used to use a chandler-bought brass hurricane lamp which is useless. It blows out in a gentle breeze, let alone a hurricane.

 

[Marmalade]

None of the above - how about

5. Get SWMBO to polish it with brasso

 

[Evadne]

My brass cabin lamps came with a clear lacquer finish. It looks a bit like a Brit after three days on the beach now, nicely flakey and peeling. I'd leave it to acquire a lovely antique patina.

 

[doug748]

More complex than your poll assumes. If you polish it, and leave it outside, someone will nick it; so either leave it rough and use it. or polish it and keep it indoors.
I have one of those brass jobs, already mentioned, that blow out in a zepher; my old rusty one was good for a force 5, so this is a mystery. LED is the only sensible, modern and practical solution, I will carry on with the parafin.

 

[TiggerToo]

[ QUOTE ]

5. Get SWMBO to polish it with brasso

[/ QUOTE ]

no way, I'd need to get new SWMBO - unless you can lend me yours - just for the polishing you understand /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Bilgediver]

We aquired a similar light about twenty years ago and after being polished by my sons has never been repolished!!!! Looks great.

Presented to my dad by the skipper of the Garlandstone when she completed her last trip to Cardifff.

 

[MoodySabre]

I polished my cabin lights last winter and gave them a couple of coats of clear lacquer bought form local DIY shop. Still look great.

 

[Avocet]

I find that after polishing, a coat of Halfrauds' finest "Alloy wheel lacquer" keeps things fairly shiny for a few years before it starts to flake off.

 

[FrankieJ]

I agree with the wheel lacquer, tried it at home on some outside lamps and they still look like new, although they aren't at sea.
Apologies for going slightly off course, but we have one of those battery powered lamps that can be controlled remotely with a zapper . When anchoring out, we leave said lantern on the cockpit table when we go ashore in the tender, and on return in the dark, click the zapper when we think we are in the vicinity of the boat,and you can guess the rest.
ps. we were surprised at the range of the zapper, sometimes about 100 yards.

 

[donncha]

It really comes down to:

1)If you polish it once with brasso, you will want to keep polishing it every time it gets tarnished, but that means a lot of polishing.

2)If you leave it you never have to polish it and you will have that "worn" "authentic" look.

I would reckon that any metal protection is unnecessary, if it's a heavy duty piece of brass.

 

[2nd_apprentice]

If you decide to polish it protect it with zapon lacquer or varnish