Brass Polishing...

[RobbieP]

Trying to spruce the boat up a bit so polishing some brass bits and bobs over winter... This item has some light(ish) scratches on it. Have a new Dremel but am the archetypal all the gear and no idea what sort of abrasive wheel to use to get them out. Any suggestions?

 

[Boater Sam]

Felt polishing mop with fine wax abrasive. Anything else will leave bad scratches.
I would leave the Dremel in the box and use a rag.
Polishing brass in my opinion is a waste of time and polish, all you are doing is wearing it out!

 

[RobbieP]

Felt polishing mop with fine wax abrasive. Anything else will leave bad scratches.
I would leave the Dremel in the box and use a rag.
Polishing brass in my opinion is a waste of time and polish, all you are doing is wearing it out!

Thanks. I polish it so it looks nice and shiny.

 

[PCUK]

Start with 400 grit, finish with 1000 grit, then use polishing mop on Dremel with fine polishing compound. Finish with Solvol on a rag.

 

[Poignard]

Trying to spruce the boat up a bit so polishing some brass bits and bobs over winter... This item has some light(ish) scratches on it. Have a new Dremel but am the archetypal all the gear and no idea what sort of abrasive wheel to use to get them out. Any suggestions?

View attachment 201962

I wouldn't bother trying to get the scratches out because the only way to get them out is to remove metal.

I'd accept them as part of the beautiful patina of the boat [a lazy man's excuse for avoiding work!]

Solvol Autosol metal polish will shine them up nicely, or Brasso.

 

[mjcp]

Also, take care - if it is "brass" (as in plate or some other look-a-like) and not solid brass, you may wear through to the base metal with anything more than a hand polish.

 

[johnalison]

The scratches look quite deep to me, so I think they will need to be abraded out if so desired. You could just use ordinary metal polish and after ten years or so they won't show so much, but I would guess that there is plenty of thickness for a little loss not to matter.

I think that polished brass can look fine and that a good shine can do credit to a boat. I have several square inches on the companionway step and actually enjoy the few minutes of polishing a few times a year that is needed. Of the lighthouses I have visited, one keeper in Alderney told us not to worry about the brass because it was polished every day, while at La Corbiere we were all kitted out with cotton gloves.

 

[Refueler]

IMHO ... put the Dremel back in its box.

Just a going over with Brasso or similar to get it generally cleaned up and shiny .. Dremel's and Grit etc can lead to heartache if not careful.

I always remember a pal who was determined to clean up a beautiful fire grate - the fancy bit across the front ! ..... read up on it .. and set to .... he destroyed the smooth shine and never did get it back to good condition.

 

[Poignard]

Get busy with the metal polish and people will be so dazzled by the refulgence that they won't see the scratches.

 

[Refueler]

A couple of scratches are better than a ruined shine !!

 

[Leslie frank]

Once shined up you could try it with a spray lacquer. This worked OK for me..kept it from going grotty for about 12 mths

 

[Neeves]

all you are doing is wearing it out!

Also true of silver plate.

J

 

[Bodach na mara]

As said in post #11, consider applying a coat of lacquer after polishing. But first check whether there is lacquer there already. A lot of the more decorative brass items supplied for boats are nice and shiny when new because they are sprayed with a thin coat of lacquer. If this is the case UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES POLISH THEM. All you should do is wipe them gently with a soft cloth to remove dust.

 

[vyv_cox]

As said in post #11, consider applying a coat of lacquer after polishing. But first check whether there is lacquer there already. A lot of the more decorative brass items supplied for boats are nice and shiny when new because they are sprayed with a thin coat of lacquer. If this is the case UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES POLISH THEM. All you should do is wipe them gently with a soft cloth to remove dust.

The problem with lacquer is that ultimately the brass beneath will tarnish. It will then be necessary to remove the lacquer, using acetone or some other strong solvent, to re-polish the brass. My choice is to polish once per year.

 

[Ian_Edwards]

I'd recommend Solvol Autosol metal polish. I find that it works a lot better than most other metal polish.
My Maxprop before launch in April this year.
Polished with Autosol.

 

[Cerebus]

Felt polishing mop with fine wax abrasive. Anything else will leave bad scratches.
I would leave the Dremel in the box and use a rag.
Polishing brass in my opinion is a waste of time and polish, all you are doing is wearing it out!

How about polishing and then spraying with a varnish or wax to prevent further degradation of the shine?

I am asking. I have never tried it; I have no brass to polish but I do appreciate seeing polished brass in many locations / situations.

 

[Poignard]

Picreator polish is good. Used by conservatory and restorers.

 

[Refueler]

I'd recommend Solvol Autosol metal polish. I find that it works a lot better than most other metal polish.
My Maxprop before launch in April this year.
Polished with Autosol.

View attachment 202095

Nice ... reminds me of my folder before she was launched ....