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266757 RH <rhhutchins@h...> 2018‑10‑12 Cleaning Brass - Lacquer It?
Esteemed Galooterati!

The Archives provided great information about cleaning brass. I'm 
cleaning brass house numbers that mount on a plague.

I first tried ketchup and was amazed at how much gunk it removed after 
sitting for an hour or two.  It didn't get it clean enough so I put 
tomato paste on it overnight.  This cleaned some more gunk but left a 
reddish tint that wouldn't wash off; so I reached for the brasso and an 
old toothbrush.  I think I'm getting close to where I want to be but the 
edges still have a lot of tarnish that is going to require that 
difficult compound . . .  elbow grease.

When I get them cleaned to 'good enough', I think they will still need 
polishing.  After getting some shiny back, what would you recommend as a 
finish preserving coat.  I'm thinking an over-spray with clear lacquer 
is called for, but I read some negatives about using lacquer.  This is 
not something I'm likely ever to do again.  They have been up for at 
least 25 years.  If my rehab lasts that long I'll be long planted.

Thanks for any input.

Bob Hutchins
Temple, TX (a Southwestern US State, Jeff)
266758 Kirk Eppler <eppler.kirk@g...> 2018‑10‑12 Re: Cleaning Brass - Lacquer It?
I am a fan of Simichrome for cleaning metal, especially brass.  I've never
lacquered, but don't expect anything to last 25 years in my neighborhod.

On Fri, Oct 12, 2018 at 11:44 AM RH  wrote:

> Esteemed Galooterati!
>
> The Archives provided great information about cleaning brass. I'm
> cleaning brass house numbers that mount on a plague.
>
> I first tried ketchup and was amazed at how much gunk it removed after
> sitting for an hour or two.  It didn't get it clean enough so I put
> tomato paste on it overnight.  This cleaned some more gunk but left a
> reddish tint that wouldn't wash off; so I reached for the brasso and an
> old toothbrush.  I think I'm getting close to where I want to be but the
> edges still have a lot of tarnish that is going to require that
> difficult compound . . .  elbow grease.
>
> When I get them cleaned to 'good enough', I think they will still need
> polishing.  After getting some shiny back, what would you recommend as a
> finish preserving coat.  I'm thinking an over-spray with clear lacquer
> is called for, but I read some negatives about using lacquer.  This is
> not something I'm likely ever to do again.  They have been up for at
> least 25 years.  If my rehab lasts that long I'll be long planted.
>
> Thanks for any input.
>
> Bob Hutchins
> Temple, TX (a Southwestern US State, Jeff)
>
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-- 
Kirk Eppler
Principal Engineer
PP&TD
eppler.kirk@g...
650 225-3911
266760 scott grandstaff <scottg@s...> 2018‑10‑12 Re: Cleaning Brass - Lacquer It?
There is a special lacquer for brass.
  Most coatings instantly dull your hard work polishing.
But there is a special one that doesn't.
  Mcmaster sells it.

  If you can take your numbers down and get them into your hands, 
polishing on a powered cloth buff is really the best way.  Hand rubbing 
you could be there forever and never get to the mirror polish you 
probably want.
yours scott


-- 
*******************************
    Scott Grandstaff
    Box 409 Happy Camp, Ca  96039
    scottg@s...
    http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/
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