Brass polishing and wire wool

[firstascent2002]

Hi Guys,

I need to bring some brass back to polish. It is really really soiled. The previous owner has used come sand paper on it and left lots of micro scratches.

My plan was to wet and dry it. 240 - > 400 -> 600 -> 1000 and then use wire wool before braso or auto gleam. Is that the best option?

As I have a fair amount to do,is there a drill attatchement that might be a good idea does anyone know?

Jamie

 

[alan17]

Brass polishing

What you plan will work given time and effort. A Dremmel with polishing pad and jewellers rouge will make it much quicker.

 

[Hardley]

Wire wool will leave lots of scratches, which will take a lot of hard work to get out, best to use Brasso, lots of elbow grease.
Have seen Coca Cola used to good effect.

 

[Bobobolinsky]

A cheap polishing mop in an electric drill with polishing soap

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...metal+polishing+kit&_sacat=See-All-Categories

 

[boguing]

1200 is available too. Frm there you just go for Solvol Autosol or similar. Agree that wool is not neccesary.

 

[SvenglishTommy]

Polishing compound is probably the only way you'll get a super smooth finish, but it will only take out scratches of about 1200 or more. Not sure what wire wool leaves, but do you really need to start with 240? Seems very harsh for scratches on brass, what did the previous guy do?

 

[firstascent2002]

Course wood sand paper...got through the lacqer back to bear metal alright but completely ruined it! I am going to have to remove about a a tenth of a mm of brass across the whole surface.

It might just be cheaper to start from scratch. Where can i buy angle brass lengths from I wonder?!

 

[rob2]

Brass is quite a soft material, which is why it polishes best with a very mld abrasive such as Autosol. The problem is that many of the tarnishes on it are relatively hard. You can use a fine abrasive, but it is important to use a backing pad to maintain the flatness of the surface. You can reduce the cut of an abrasive by rubbing soap onto it - a similar techinique to keeping a file clear on soft materials by filling it with chalk.

You don't say what profile you're working on. Flat surfaces are easier to clean, but intricate shapes can be near impossible without rubbing away the corners!

Google should turn up some suppliers of brass stock - flats , tubes, rod, etc.

Rob.

 

[Lady Campanula]

Where can i buy angle brass lengths from I wonder?!

There may not be the sizes you want, but AIR the various B&Q stores/barns carry some profiles in brass. Then there's the famous 'Woods' at Crediton. Mike, the gaffer there, is really helpful....

If you were passing Bath, I'd suggest Avery, Knight and Bowler - for they certainly would have what you want - but there must be a score of good metals stockists between you at Exeter and here.

Moving this sideways just a little, I have some tarnished brass hinges to fit soon, in a non-marine environment, so the responses about polishing are of interest.

What would peeps suggest as a varnish or lacquer.....?

 

[Bobobolinsky]

A friend of mine who has a narrow boat and consequently lots of polished brass, swears by nail varnish.

 

[alant]

A friend of mine who has a narrow boat and consequently lots of polished brass, swears by nail varnish.

What colour does he wear?

 

[Appleyard]

Brillo pad...stinks but does not scratch.

 

[BACUS]

brass polishing

If you can remove the bits there is a good metal polishers in Brixham
Regards

 

[charles_reed]

Hi Guys,

I need to bring some brass back to polish. It is really really soiled. The previous owner has used come sand paper on it and left lots of micro scratches.

My plan was to wet and dry it. 240 - > 400 -> 600 -> 1000 and then use wire wool before braso or auto gleam. Is that the best option?

As I have a fair amount to do,is there a drill attatchement that might be a good idea does anyone know?

Jamie

You really need a 3M metal finishing pad - too gentle to get rid of bad scoring, but much superior to anything else.

 

[onesea]

Are there any others?

1) Nail varnish
2) Coca Cola,
3) Brown Sauce,

There must be more wacky brass polishing or do I need to start a new thread?

Have done a test once and Brown Sauce beat Coca Cola... Once you could get special Wire wool with polish in if I remember rightly?

 

[Appleyard]

Brillo pad!

 

[Csail]

Hi Guys,

I need to bring some brass back to polish. It is really really soiled. The previous owner has used come sand paper on it and left lots of micro scratches.

My plan was to wet and dry it. 240 - > 400 -> 600 -> 1000 and then use wire wool before braso or auto gleam. Is that the best option?

As I have a fair amount to do,is there a drill attatchement that might be a good idea does anyone know?

Jamie

Soak in coke or vinegar overnight then get a micromesh kit.

 

[Bobobolinsky]

Are there any others?

1) Nail varnish
2) Coca Cola,
3) Brown Sauce,

There must be more wacky brass polishing or do I need to start a new thread?

Have done a test once and Brown Sauce beat Coca Cola... Once you could get special Wire wool with polish in if I remember rightly?

The nail varnish is to protect the brass after polishing

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Lemon and salt... Removes heavy tarnishing... Then Brasso

 

[alant]

The nail varnish is to protect the brass after polishing

Repeat, which colour?

http://www.boots.com/en/Beauty/Accessories/Nails/Nail-Polish/

Surely, hair spray is easier to apply.