solid vs lacquered brass for clock

S

srah1953

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 Jun 2007
Messages
493
Location
Ireland, Carlingford
Visit site
Hi all
There was a thread here recently about re-lacquering brass which got me thinking. I'm in the market for a ship's clock and I would welcome views on the relative merits of solid brass vs. lacquered. I remember having a front door knocker made of brass and I got really tired of having to brasso it on a regular basis.
Thanks
 
All brass will tarnish unless it is treated in some way and the usual method is lacquering.

If a piece is brass plated or spun brass then the brass is very thin. These are almost always lacquered as polishing will soon wear through thin layer of brass.

Solid brass can also be lacquered or left untreated in which case it will need polishing when it tarnishes.
 
I replaced my (apparently) brass individual cabin lamps with stainless steel ones because they were rusting :( Seems they were steel with a thin brass (or brass-like) coating and lacquered. I suspect the cheaper cabin clocks and barometers are likewise.

The lamps were the original HR ones but 25 years old so presumably cost effective. On the other hand, the clock and barometer, presumably optional extras, are heavy brass, also lacquered, and still look of superbly high quality.

I know what I would buy if I could afford it.
 
For marine use avoid brass plated steel. It's the cheap and cheerful version for domestic use and it'll soon rust!
Lacquering might postpone the inevitable.
A magnet will identify it

Solid brass is expensive because the cases are turned from solid brass.

Spun brass is much cheaper because the cases are made from thin sheet brass.
It is just as durable as solid brass but everybody will recognise it and know you have not "splashed the cash" on solid ones.

I wonder why they don't do them in square plastic cases to match the other instruments.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top