Tony8806 Posted May 25, 2014 Share Posted May 25, 2014 The brass pieces on my mod got really dirty. Any way to renew them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richstag Posted May 25, 2014 Share Posted May 25, 2014 I could give you a list of buffing compounds, wheel types, cork belts, scotchbrite belts and etc but first give alcohol a try. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and the layer of oxidation that forms can be broken down with alcohol. Apparently it separates the hydrogen bonds of the oxidation type. Isopropyl has a substance that leaves a film. I use grain alcohol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richstag Posted May 25, 2014 Share Posted May 25, 2014 The thing is with brass and carbon steels is the layer of oxidation will build to the point that it begins to prevent corrosion. Trying to keep these polished is harder than forming a nice patina. If you want to protect it without a curing/hardening coating try renwax. It will actual build as you apply more coats. If the alcohol doesn't brighten it up as much as you want then you need to move to polishing. I used to be a polishing fool but I learned the oils in my skin are too corrosive to make it worth it. Patina vs no patina is an age old debate with advantages in both directions. Joshuab3687 and Conneazoo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conneazoo Posted May 25, 2014 Share Posted May 25, 2014 Plus you can drink Everclear!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony8806 Posted May 26, 2014 Author Share Posted May 26, 2014 Ok thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richstag Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Your welcome. If it's just exterior and not threads or contacts it doesn't really matter. Brass is soft and very easy to polish. And yeah, it's bad when ur drinking your cleaner but I did this afternoon. Mellow cleaning. Basically you want the least abrasive possible. Polishing softens crisp edges and prematurely ages machined figuring such as emblems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richstag Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Check out flitz or go to a marine store if you end up wanting a rag type brass cleaner. also if your into refinishing check out crocus cloth. If you get it break it in before using on your vaporizer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony8806 Posted May 26, 2014 Author Share Posted May 26, 2014 Ill go to the store and pick some supplies up but fyi I had a sore throat earlier and drank some cleaner and it actually cleared it right up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richstag Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Yes sir! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joejoevapekins Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Elbow grease and brasso. Just the thought of brasso brings back some horrible army memories lol Tam and Mtdobies 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richstag Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 When I get back from the shore I will post some pics of different levels of polish and even grit patterns if you are interested. Depending on the finish you want you néed to pick the right products and procedure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nash3324 Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Really guy the best thing to clean brass ever would be Viniger. Mtdobies 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iheartvape Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Try Brasso its a cleaning/polishing compound. It works really good. That's what we use in the Army to shine the brass on the spent casings we stick in the American flag during a Military funeral. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richstag Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I hope no one took me as trying to knock other people's ways. I have brasso too. When I was learning to make knives and restore/refinish knives of all steel types, including brass and nickle silver bolsters and gaurds I just found there are so many varying levels you can produce. Just trying to be of help. Happy memorial day. Mtdobies 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mtdobies Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Happy Memorial day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richstag Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 image by Richstag, on Flickr Here is a quick cell pic of the logo on my brass mech. Personally I like what the patina has done aesthetically. I would never polish this with my shop buffer and don't intend to use abrasive polishes either. Both would take away and the shop beffer could kill it. When using high speed buffers it takes a lot of know how to polish detail. The lift of the wheel can destroy contours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparc Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 (edited) For a quick polish I use Never-Dull wipes. Someone recommended Cape Cod Polish wipes which I haven't tried but I do have some coming to me to see which I like more. I have a tube of Autosol metal polish on the way too which I will be using with a Dremel and pointed polishing bit to get the patina out of the logo. Autosol was recommended by the maker of a mod I have. Edited May 27, 2014 by sparc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richstag Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Really guy the best thing to clean brass ever would be Viniger. I have heard this for taking off very thick old patina but I never tried it. I usually use vinegar for forcing patina's due to its acid content. Heating it helps form the patina faster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nash3324 Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Yes it works really well especially for hard to get crevices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richstag Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Very cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richstag Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Here is how my brass is holding up. KRG_2326 by Richstag, on Flickr About once a week I spray it down with alcohol and wipe it off. Keeps it with some glow but mellow. How about some pics of the results? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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