Restoring 'gold' trims - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Mike Phelan · 10th Jul 2005, 4:56 pm

Hi folks
Many pieces of gold-coloured trim are made of brass, and given this colour by using a lacquer.
As a clock restorer, I and others have a similar problem with restoring brass parts - here's how we do it:
Clean any old lacquer off - you may have to resort to cellulose thinners.
If the trim needs polishing, use 000 steel wool followed by metal polish - Brasso is ideal. You really need to wash all traces of this off, now. I use petrol, outside, but IPA or similar would be fine.
Then, without touching it with your fingers, polish it with a soft cloth. We would digress here with a clock, and brush all the parts with chalk!
Lacquer is available from clock material dealers:
http://www.m-p.co.uk/ for one.
There are shades from clear, to deep gold (like you see on old microscopes). A medium gold seems OK.
Warm the metal, brush once with the lacquer, recoat after an hour if you need to.
The picture shows bits of a Bush MB60 undergoing restoration. It may not show the colour very well.

Radio_Dave · 10th Jul 2005, 5:14 pm

Mike, as ever you have given very good and detailed advise. However I must add to it by suggesting that it is important to discover whether the trim is "proper" brass and not a gilt covered steel by scratching an unseen area with a knife.

David

Mike Phelan · 11th Jul 2005, 7:19 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio_Dave

Mike, as ever you have given very good and detailed advise. However I must add to it by suggesting that it is important to discover whether the trim is "proper" brass and not a gilt covered steel by scratching an unseen area with a knife.

David

Absolutely right, David - you do need to wave a magnet at it!

10th Jul 2005, 4:56 pm	#1
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Restoring 'gold' trims Hi folks Many pieces of gold-coloured trim are made of brass, and given this colour by using a lacquer. As a clock restorer, I and others have a similar problem with restoring brass parts - here's how we do it: Clean any old lacquer off - you may have to resort to cellulose thinners. If the trim needs polishing, use 000 steel wool followed by metal polish - Brasso is ideal. You really need to wash all traces of this off, now. I use petrol, outside, but IPA or similar would be fine. Then, without touching it with your fingers, polish it with a soft cloth. We would digress here with a clock, and brush all the parts with chalk! Lacquer is available from clock material dealers: http://www.m-p.co.uk/ for one. There are shades from clear, to deep gold (like you see on old microscopes). A medium gold seems OK. Warm the metal, brush once with the lacquer, recoat after an hour if you need to. The picture shows bits of a Bush MB60 undergoing restoration. It may not show the colour very well. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Mike.

10th Jul 2005, 5:14 pm	#2
Radio_Dave Nonode Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 2,543	Re: Restoring 'gold' trims Mike, as ever you have given very good and detailed advise. However I must add to it by suggesting that it is important to discover whether the trim is "proper" brass and not a gilt covered steel by scratching an unseen area with a knife. David