Keeping brass bright. ?

[STATUE]

I've done the polishing, but don't want to do it again in a hurry.
How do I keep it bright ?

I have thought of covering it with varnish.

There must be alternatives - please

 

[Daverw]

Polish, degrease and then spray with hard lacquer,

 

[Praxinoscope]

Try ‘Incralac’ it’s a lacquer for non-ferrous metals.

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

I've polished brass before to within an inch of its life then sprayed it with several coats of clear laquer - spray can from the motor accessories shop - Halfords probably, can't remember but they all do them. Lasted years! ….. :encouragement:

 

[jwilson]

Rustins do a brush-on lacquer that considerably extends the life of the shiny brass look.

 

[STATUE]

Thanks everyone, lacquer is the answer.

 

[johnalison]

There's nothing like proper polished brass. They know how to do things properly at La Corbiere. Even the visitors have to wear cotton gloves. Anyway, it gives the crew something to do and keeps them out of mischief.

 

[Neeves]

There's nothing like proper polished brass. They know how to do things properly at La Corbiere. Even the visitors have to wear cotton gloves. Anyway, it gives the crew something to do and keeps them out of mischief.

+1

It is so much easier if you pay the crew, properly, many of these grubby, mundane problems simply disappear

Jonathan

 

[vyv_cox]

The problem I am finding with lacquer is that nothing lasts for ever. I have owned two nice brass bulkhead instruments for many years, lacquered and previously bright. Now the coating is breaking down, black patches are appearing underneath the lacquer but it will need to be removed before I can repolish. I hope acetone will do it but it is likely to be a messy job, not best done on board.

 

[Poignard]

An alternative to lacquer:

https://picreator.co.uk/renaissance-wax/

 

[Yngmar]

I've polished mine with Peak metal polish, then applied a clear spray lacquer and after admiring them for a year finally sold them on eBay - problem solved (at least for me).

 

[Seashoreman]

Not a great fan of varnished brass myself. I would try searching something from the motor concours dept.
Check out something like Opti-Coat, certainly not the cheapest option.
I use a motorbike chrome protectant for wheels, cant remember name (its at my workshop).
When buffing brass by machine the 'soap' leaves a thin film of wax which seems to last for a year or so.

 

[SAMYL]

The problem I am finding with lacquer is that nothing lasts for ever. I have owned two nice brass bulkhead instruments for many years, lacquered and previously bright. Now the coating is breaking down, black patches are appearing underneath the lacquer but it will need to be removed before I can repolish. I hope acetone will do it but it is likely to be a messy job, not best done on board.

Most old lacquers can be easily removed with ordinary paint stripper then repolish the brass.

The secret for lacquering brass is to polish as best you can and remove any traces of polish and waxes by washing it well and dry carefully.
Place the items in an oven, not gas, and warm gently to make sure the item is thoroughly dry. Do not overheat, it should be just warm to the touch. If you use a gas oven or gas blowtorch to warm it you will only get condensation on the surface which still has to be dried off.
Spray it with your chosen lacquer whilst still warm and allow to dry. It is difficult to get a good finish using a brush so a spray is preferred.

 

[rib]

If it cam be removed and take heat ,find a stove enamel paint finisher,will last years

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

My sprayed car laquer lasted for 13 years out of doors and never had to be redone - as said above wash off all traces of polish after buffing. I gave mine many many coats, probably 8 or 10 - the stuff dries very quickly and this maybe helped it last such a long time. I moved on since

then ​

(17 years ago) but I'll bet it's still shiny!