Keeping brass clean

[Heinrich]

Howzit guy's

i am stuck on mixing wood and brass, i just like like it.
but this is causing a new problem.how can i keep the brass shining without polishing it 3 times a week?

can i do a clear powder coat or spray it with 2k clear coat?

any other suggestions?

[mahleu]

You can get a clear coat, brass laquer I think is the proper stuff but others may work.

[Rodney_gold]

Gold plate it , only way to stop it from discolouring or tarnishing , I make brass signage and would love a better way... clear coating is a huge problem , eventually you will get tarnishing under the coating and make a huge mess trying to strip it.

[Timber_MG]

I had an unlaquered brass flugelhorn when I was younger and remember brasso every couple of weeks to prevent the instrument going green. I believe the process for brass intruments is baked somehow, but if the item is exposed to the elements plating might be the better option.

[Batman]

I had an unlaquered brass flugelhorn when I was younger and remember brasso every couple of weeks to prevent the instrument going green. I believe the process is baked somehow, but if the item is exposed to the elements plating might be the better option.

The green is actually rust. Its called a patina if I remember.

[Crafty]

The green is actually rust. Its called a patina if I remember.

Correct. Copper oxidation to be exact. and some people pay for patina (and the patina look), since antiques as cool
When I use Brass for the pommel, and gaurd in the knives i sometimes make, I pollish it with some weird waxy substance as a final stage. It does not last forever, mut stays shiny a longer than just brasso.

[WaterHond]

If you do use a clear coat, make sure to wipe the brass down with alcohol after cleaning to get rid of any greasiness, and then give 3 coats with ample time for drying in-between. I used Zenith A32 Clear which is an acrylic resin spray which doesn't yellow. I used it in a bathroom on the brass pipes leading to an old fashioned shower head and after 3+ years even with humidity and the hot and cold water temperatures it is still pristine. The clear film it gives is durable but contact with gasoline or solvents must be avoided.
Available at most  hardware places.

[BigWoodenSpoon]

I used it in a bathroom on the brass pipes leading to an old fashioned shower head and after 3+ years even with humidity and the hot and cold water temperatures it is still pristine. The clear film it gives is durable but contact with gasoline or solvents must be avoided.
Available at most  hardware places.

Shower with gasoline? ? eina 

[Atjan]

Its going to look awesome on that amp of yours. I'm seriously thinking about going the same route, but with walnut (there's already a bit in the garage). Anyway, I don't think brass is going to be the best for this job. If you've already got the bits, long term, plating may be your best option. I think once you've bought all the laquers, etc, you might just as well have plated.
There's also some nice gold coloured alu knobs and bottons on eBay that I'm eyeing.

[Heinrich]

Its going to look awesome on that amp of yours. I'm seriously thinking about going the same route, but with walnut (there's already a bit in the garage). Anyway, I don't think brass is going to be the best for this job. If you've already got the bits, long term, plating may be your best option. I think once you've bought all the laquers, etc, you might just as well have plated.
There's also some nice gold coloured alu knobs and bottons on eBay that I'm eyeing.

the amps, i am going to take apart again(or the face plates at least ) and sand them down and varnish/finish them over.i am not happy with them at the moment.

i am actually planing a stand for everything hifi and TV related made of wood and brass.

If you do use a clear coat, make sure to wipe the brass down with alcohol after cleaning to get rid of any greasiness, and then give 3 coats with ample time for drying in-between. I used Zenith A32 Clear which is an acrylic resin spray which doesn't yellow. I used it in a bathroom on the brass pipes leading to an old fashioned shower head and after 3+ years even with humidity and the hot and cold water temperatures it is still pristine. The clear film it gives is durable but contact with gasoline or solvents must be avoided.
Available at most  hardware places.

i will have a look for this, thank you.

[WaterHond]

Shower with gasoline? ? eina 

It happens...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SSbFjK_gnY

[Heinrich]

It happens...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SSbFjK_gnY

FACEPALM

[mahleu]

I was refueling a plane once and let the nozzle out a fraction too far and the spray that came off soaked myself and the pilot. Fortunately it evaporates quickly...

[mafioso]

My own discovery with brass. Here at home, we have a lot of brass trinkets and I usually cop the cleaning of these things.

We also have dachshunds around who were forever touch brass table legs with their noses, leaving tarnished 'noseprints'.

One day after spending hours cleaning the brass tables, I tried applying a product then called Diamond Glaze over the polished surfaces.

Dog noses left no more marks and the gleam lasted almost 6 months. Method: clean the brass with Brasso and apply Diamond Glaze with a soft cloth. Let dry for a few minutes and polish the stuff off.

I'm not sure if the original product Diamond Glaze is still available but there should be a substitute available from auto accessory stores, Game or similar stores.

mafioso

[Heinrich]

My own discovery with brass. Here at home, we have a lot of brass trinkets and I usually cop the cleaning of these things.

We also have dachshunds around who were forever touch brass table legs with their noses, leaving tarnished 'noseprints'.

One day after spending hours cleaning the brass tables, I tried applying a product then called Diamond Glaze over the polished surfaces.

Dog noses left no more marks and the gleam lasted almost 6 months. Method: clean the brass with Brasso and apply Diamond Glaze with a soft cloth. Let dry for a few minutes and polish the stuff off.

I'm not sure if the original product Diamond Glaze is still available but there should be a substitute available from auto accessory stores, Game or similar stores.

mafioso

i have found a "diamond glaze" product on want it all.
i will get a couple of different things and try them out  before i decide.
thanx.