Brass Cleaner/Polish

[Forgoten214]

Can someone recommend a good way to clean or a substance used to clean brass? I am trying to fix up some old looking stuff and my Zippo's. Anyone got any ideas??

Thanks in advance.

[TacoPower]

brasso?

[Forgoten214]

brasso?

Whats that? I am trying to restore my Zippo to its original Hi-Polish gold like color...Now it looks like it came out of a sewer lol. :supergrin:

[TacoPower]

its a brass polish, we used it on belt buckles and stuff when i was in military school as a kid.

[Forgoten214]

its a brass polish, we used it on belt buckles and stuff when i was in military school as a kid.

How well did it work if you remember?

[TacoPower]

How well did it work if you remember?


Seemed to work well, its only a few dollars at the grocery store

[ERASER]

I'm no expert, but from past personal experience it seems that there are a few issues that you might have to deal with:
1.) Are the items solid brass or are they just coated? Any coated items might not be worth messing with.
2.) Is there a lacquered or coated finish on the brass? If so, you'll need to remove that first, of course. I've done that with paint-remover and I've done it with stainless-steel wire wheels on a drill/grinder. Naturally, the paint-remover does less "damage" to the soft brass. Even after using the paint-remover, I usually will even-out the finish (since lacquered vs. un-lacquered areas age/weather differently) with a soft stainless-steel wire wheel on the drill/grinder. Don't apply much pressure......or you'll cause galling. The wheel will clean up the finish on all but the most weathered brass. The soft wheel will shine the finish up but will leave some slight marking from the bristles. I find that Brasso and a little elbow-grease will remove these scratches and add more shine.

3.) If you plan on protecting that new finish, then you'll need to de-grease the brass to remove any residual Brasso, oils from your hands, etc. I usually give 'em a wipe-down with Acetone.

4.) If you are going to coat the brass with a clear spray-paint make sure that you do it when there is low humidity or the clear coat will dry cloudy.


p.s.: If anyone has a good idea to protect the finish beside using clear spray-paint, I'd appreciate it. I had, in the past, thought of trying a good-quality clear epoxy but never got around to actually doing it.

[Forgoten214]

I'm no expert, but from past personal experience it seems that there are a few issues that you might have to deal with:
1.) Are the items solid brass or are they just coated? Any coated items might not be worth messing with.
2.) Is there a lacquered or coated finish on the brass? If so, you'll need to remove that first, of course. I've done that with paint-remover and I've done it with stainless-steel wire wheels on a drill/grinder. Naturally, the paint-remover does less "damage" to the soft brass. Even after using the paint-remover, I usually will even-out the finish (since lacquered vs. un-lacquered areas age/weather differently) with a soft stainless-steel wire wheel on the drill/grinder. Don't apply much pressure......or you'll cause galling. The wheel will clean up the finish on all but the most weathered brass. The soft wheel will shine the finish up but will leave some slight marking from the bristles. I find that Brasso and a little elbow-grease will remove these scratches and add more shine.

3.) If you plan on protecting that new finish, then you'll need to de-grease the brass to remove any residual Brasso, oils from your hands, etc. I usually give 'em a wipe-down with Acetone.

4.) If you are going to coat the brass with a clear spray-paint make sure that you do it when there is low humidity or the clear coat will dry cloudy.


p.s.: If anyone has a good idea to protect the finish beside using clear spray-paint, I'd appreciate it. I had, in the past, thought of trying a good-quality clear epoxy but never got around to actually doing it.

http://www.giftsanddetails.com/servlet/the-510/ZIPPO-Armor-High-Polish/Detail

http://www.outdoorpros.com/Prod/Zippo-169-High-Polish-Brass-Armor/17762/Cat/49

http://boston-c.kp.shopserve.jp/pic-labo/169-2.jpg

http://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0_mall/zippo/cabinet/zippo-169.jpg

http://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0_mall/zippo/cabinet/zippo-169-1.jpg

Thats what it originally looked like...

I gave links to the model I have. I am not sure if its full brass but it sure does seem like it. The reciever and case looks like its brass inside and out.

[Nestor]

Forget about Polish if you don't want to destroy the thing :rofl:

[Forgoten214]

Forget about Polish if you don't want to destroy the thing :rofl:

Why?? I drain the fluid first of course?

[ERASER]

I think you're right......they are most likely solid brass.
If they are only tarnished and not stained badly, just try the Brasso and a bit of elbow grease as was suggested by the other GTers. Just be aware that the Brasso will turn black as you rub, so wear latex/nitrile gloves if you can.

[fastsix]

Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish (cleans brass too) (http://www.mothers.com/02_products/05100-05101.html)

And you can clean your wheels and muffler tips with the leftovers (of which they'll be plenty).

Sold at Walmart and pretty much anywhere else that sells car cleaning supplies. About $4.

[fastsix]

Just be aware that the Brasso will turn black as you rub, so wear latex/nitrile gloves if you can.

Hmmm...Mothers mag polish does the exact same.

[Forgoten214]

Will Home Depot carry this stuff??

[fastsix]

Will Home Depot carry this stuff??

They'll probably have Brasso in the aisle with all the other cleaning stuff (Simple Green, Windex etc.).

[gwalchmai]

Be aware that polish works by removing the tarnish from the surface. Some call that the patina and consider it desirable. Shining up an old thing can sometimes reduce its value to collectors.

That said, you can get Brasso and similar brass cleaners at a hardware store (think Ace or Tru-Value rather than Lowes or HD).

Also, if you have any reloader friends, let them run your lighter through their brass tumbler for a few hours. No joke, it'll work fine.

[Halojumper]

brasso?

+1, give it a try

[fastsix]

Be aware that polish works by removing the tarnish from the surface. Some call that the patina and consider it desirable. Shining up an old thing can sometimes reduce its value to collectors.

That said, you can get Brasso and similar brass cleaners at a hardware store (think Ace or Tru-Value rather than Lowes or HD).

Also, if you have any reloader friends, let them run your lighter through their brass tumbler for a few hours. No joke, it'll work fine.

:wavey:

Heh...I cleaned up a 1966 Gibson ES-330. My God, but some people were pissed. I used all car cleaning products too (Mothers Mag polish for the Chrome, and P21S Car Polish for the body. I figured if it's good enough for a Ferrari it's good enough for a guitar.

http://www.fastsix.com/guitar.jpg

[Forgoten214]

:wavey:

Heh...I cleaned up a 1966 Gibson ES-330. My God, but some people were pissed. I used all car cleaning products too (Mothers Mag polish for the Chrome, and P21S Car Polish for the body. I figured if it's good enough for a Ferrari it's good enough for a guitar.

http://www.fastsix.com/guitar.jpg

Wow thats nice! Came out well, I have the knockoff Epiphone version of that guitar btw.

[Nestor]

Why?? I drain the fluid first of course?

Just do it yourself...don't ask any Polish for help :supergrin:

[gwalchmai]

I'm no expert, but from past personal experience it seems that there are a few issues that you might have to deal with:
1.) Are the items solid brass or are they just coated? Any coated items might not be worth messing with.
2.) Is there a lacquered or coated finish on the brass? If so, you'll need to remove that first, of course. I've done that with paint-remover and I've done it with stainless-steel wire wheels on a drill/grinder. Naturally, the paint-remover does less "damage" to the soft brass. Even after using the paint-remover, I usually will even-out the finish (since lacquered vs. un-lacquered areas age/weather differently) with a soft stainless-steel wire wheel on the drill/grinder. Don't apply much pressure......or you'll cause galling. The wheel will clean up the finish on all but the most weathered brass. The soft wheel will shine the finish up but will leave some slight marking from the bristles. I find that Brasso and a little elbow-grease will remove these scratches and add more shine.

3.) If you plan on protecting that new finish, then you'll need to de-grease the brass to remove any residual Brasso, oils from your hands, etc. I usually give 'em a wipe-down with Acetone.

4.) If you are going to coat the brass with a clear spray-paint make sure that you do it when there is low humidity or the clear coat will dry cloudy.


p.s.: If anyone has a good idea to protect the finish beside using clear spray-paint, I'd appreciate it. I had, in the past, thought of trying a good-quality clear epoxy but never got around to actually doing it.
If you want to change the matt finish to mirror use Flitz. Brasso would take a lot longer.

[Forgoten214]

If you want to change the matt finish to mirror use Flitz. Brasso would take a lot longer.

I am looking for mirror finish. That's what it originally was from the factory...

[byf43]

Flitz.

It's all you need to clean/polish.

[Forgoten214]

Flitz.

It's all you need to clean/polish.

That stuff is expensive!

12 dollars a bottle?

[byf43]

That stuff is expensive!

12 dollars a bottle?


My friend, I NEVER said it was cheap.
It is the absolute best stuff I've ever found, and a little goes a long way.

[gwalchmai]

That stuff is expensive!

12 dollars a bottle? A little dab'll do ya, though. Try the paste. I have a large tube I bought three years ago.

Also, Flitz leaves a thin wax coating to help prevent tarnishing.

[Forgoten214]

My friend, I NEVER said it was cheap.
It is the absolute best stuff I've ever found, and a little goes a long way.

Really?? It looks like a car polish...

[Forgoten214]

A little dab'll do ya, though. Try the paste. I have a large tube I bought three years ago.

Also, Flitz leaves a thin wax coating to help prevent tarnishing.

Witch one to get? There are several different types ect on their website?

http://www.flitz-polish.com/

Polish? Wax? Cleaner?

[Forgoten214]

Just do it yourself...don't ask any Polish for help :supergrin:

I agree, They make horrible products :supergrin:

[byf43]

Flitz Polish -
http://www.flitz-polish.com/s.nl;jsessionid=0a0106431f43130ff5f7dd6b4ed2b52fd7593335280b.e3eSc3eMbxuPe34Pa38Ta38Ochz0?it=A&id=541&sc=123&category=-223

Again. . it ain't cheap, but, it works!

[gwalchmai]

Witch one to get? There are several different types ect on their website?

http://www.flitz-polish.com/

Polish? Wax? Cleaner?
I get it at Midway -

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=752367&t=11082005 $12 with dealer discount.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=578206&t=11082005

HOW BOUT THAT 5 GAL PAIL, HUH? ;)

[Forgoten214]

So with the Flitz? Is there any sort of method or cloth your supposed to use with it? About how long does it take?

[gwalchmai]

So with the Flitz? Is there any sort of method or cloth your supposed to use with it? About how long does it take? I put a dab on a t-shirt and just rub it in. Add more as needed until you get the finish you like. This guy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUl6nWqEynY) is a little wordy but he gets the idea across.


Oh, you can also use toothpaste...

[Forgoten214]

I put a dab on a t-shirt and just rub it in. Add more as needed until you get the finish you like. This guy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUl6nWqEynY) is a little wordy but he gets the idea across.


Oh, you can also use toothpaste...

Toothpaste on brass???

[gwalchmai]

Toothpaste on brass??? Sure. It's just a polish, after all. It'll be slower than Flitz, but it'll work.