Cleaning and polishing brass - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Mike Phelan · 19th Sep 2006, 9:00 am

I thought that, as one who regularly deals with tarnished brass on antique clock movements, it is worth telling everyone here the way that I approach the subject in the context of bits of brass trim on radios.

Needed :

Liquid metal polish - Brasso or similar.
Block of French chalk - M & P.
Medium and soft clock brushes - M & P.
Pale gold lacquer - M & P.
1" paintbrush with bristles cut off to 2cm.

Optional:

Steel wool 000 and/or 0000.

M & P = http://www.m-p.co.uk Usual disclaimer.
Clock brushes have wood handles of approx 20 x 0.5 x 2 cm with bristles on half their length. Vide M&P catalogue.

Clean the brass with steel wool until old lacquer and tarnish have been removed.
Polish with Brasso using a med brush, or a cloth on flat surfaces. Do not bother trying to brighten it up.
Clean all traces of polish off with IPA, lighter fuel or petrol using paintbrush. Brass will now be clean, but a bit dull.
Brush with chalk using soft brush. You need to brush very fast and very lightly - this will give a brilliant polish. Blow dust off.

Although this polish will last for 10 years on a clock, on a radio it needs lacquering. I use either pale gold or a mixture of this and clear lacquer.

Moderators - one for the archive?

19th Sep 2006, 9:00 am	#1
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Cleaning and polishing brass I thought that, as one who regularly deals with tarnished brass on antique clock movements, it is worth telling everyone here the way that I approach the subject in the context of bits of brass trim on radios. Needed : Liquid metal polish - Brasso or similar. Block of French chalk - M & P. Medium and soft clock brushes - M & P. Pale gold lacquer - M & P. 1" paintbrush with bristles cut off to 2cm. Optional: Steel wool 000 and/or 0000. M & P = http://www.m-p.co.uk Usual disclaimer. Clock brushes have wood handles of approx 20 x 0.5 x 2 cm with bristles on half their length. Vide M&P catalogue. Clean the brass with steel wool until old lacquer and tarnish have been removed. Polish with Brasso using a med brush, or a cloth on flat surfaces. Do not bother trying to brighten it up. Clean all traces of polish off with IPA, lighter fuel or petrol using paintbrush. Brass will now be clean, but a bit dull. Brush with chalk using soft brush. You need to brush very fast and very lightly - this will give a brilliant polish. Blow dust off. Although this polish will last for 10 years on a clock, on a radio it needs lacquering. I use either pale gold or a mixture of this and clear lacquer. Moderators - one for the archive? __________________ Mike.