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What do you use to clean and polish brass? Mine is in good shape, no stains but would like to clean it up without damage to the paint/
Semi chrome, or Wendol both work well on keeping brass clean and polished.
Greg Long
The headlamps and cowl lights on my Rickenbacker are brass and I have had great results with Brasso polish.
I tried the new version of Nevr-Dull and was not pleased with the results.
Used to be that it only took a little bit of wadding to clean large areas, now it takes much more rubbing and much more wadding to clean the same area.
I use Wright’s Brass Creme. Simichrome also works well.
I use Zildjian cymbal polish which works well on both nickel and brass.
William, “I use Zildjian cymbal polish which works well on both nickel and brass.”
I did some research because this is a great idea! One of the problems in the past is that Brasso and some others leave a white residue in any cracks. A musician had also suggested that Zildjian cymbal polish works great on his cymbals and it seems to leave a protective coating. But it can remove the painted emblems Zildjian symbols from the cymbals. Hmm has a nice sound, “symbols from the cymbals”
I have a lot of brass next to paint. Like the hood hinges.
William, does the Zildjian polish affect the paint? And does it dry clear?
Well, the Zildjian polish is a whitish cream which I always wash away with Dawn dishwashing detergent. I use it on nickel or brass harmonica parts which go in my mouth so I make sure to wash away any residue.
I’m guessing that you would get some residue in the nooks and crannies of the car, but the stuff is pretty cheap so you can easily try some. They should have it at either Sam Ash Music or Guitar Center.
I don’t have any knowledge of its affect on paint, unfortunately.
Bill
The Horseless Carriage Gazette ran an article on brass polish. I can’t
recall which issue. I believe they had a list of 20 – 30 brands. Some
contained chemicals that would age the brass, so there is more than an
easy shine to be concerned about. My favorite was an aluminum polish
called Aluminol. I haven’t been able to find it for years, make that decades.
As a brass guy and a Pierce guy I use Alumibrite (Amazon) and then
shine with Wenol (eBay). A light spray of Meguiars Final Inspection will
slow tarnish in the future. The Alumibrite won’t hurt the paint and also
does wonders on cast aluminum. The Final Inspection washes away any
residual Wenol.
I have just ordered Alumibrite, Wenol and Meguiars Final Inspection.
I want to find the article in HCCA about brands that age and give brass a patina. I like patina.
Bill,
Some chemicals used, caused cracks in the brass according to the article.
Bill,
It’s the cars that slip the bonds of age…that become ageless. It’s us that
pursue the hobby, the longer we belong, that gather the patina.
What is the best polish for German Silver and nickel parts on an early Pierce Arrow? Simichrome,Wenol or Blue Magic? I have been told Blue Magic is the best but I would like to know what others are using as I do not want to abrade the finish but still clean the finish.
Bill,
I use the Alumbrite with soft brush to clean and then Wenol to polish.
I then apply a lot of the Final inspection to wash away any polish residue
and to protect the finish.
Johnny
You’re right, Tony.
The cars are aging better than we are.
Bill
Bill Marsh, The problem mentioned above, with some form of Brass cleaners/polish, is not that the polish aids in leaving a “Patina” but the aging process on the brass is speeded up as in stress/surface cracking. It is the better idea to step away from such polishes. The HCCA article is very good to give some clarity on this subject. Brass, though considered a delicacy to we “Brass Era” guys, it does have some inherit problems we are required to deal with.
Al
Al, where can we find the “The HCCA article is very good to give some clarity on this subject.””??
I have searched and can’t find it. Perhaps I am missing it in the tech articles? ber”
Has anyone heard if or used Flitz Instant Brass and Tarnish Remover?
It’s one of these “Seems too good to be true†products. I wonder if it’s as good as they claim why doesnt everyone use it?
Bill,
Go to the HCCA site then click on the Gazette index and scroll down for brass polish.This should bring up the issues discussing polishes.If you type in polish brands on Google,you can find blogs and discussions on various polishes.