How do you keep the brass shiny...?

[Salopgal]

The chappy that sold me Delilah said that once I'd cleaned the brass (and he did mention Shiny Sinks to start off with), also said that Liberon Jade Oil would slow the tarnishing process down. I've noticed that just days after cleaning interior of portholes with brasso, they very quickly dull down to a tarnished pallor and within 2 weeks are already looking a bit grotty.

 

So the question is - what do you use to treat the brass fitments after you've got them shiny as new? Has anyone else used Jade Oil and is it the best thing to try, as it's pretty expensive...?

 

Once again, thank you for all and any advice!

 

K

 

[Gillie]

I cheated and used Incralac..which is a Metal Lacquer

 

Did the portholes & Mushroom vents in 2010 and still looking good..

 

In fact only the other day they were twinkling in the sun and I remarked to Dave that the Incralac had lasted so well...

Obviously not the same shine as everyday polishing..but my life is too short for that!

 

I have tried various Liberon products on other bits and bobs of brass but have to say did not rate any of them...

[MtB]

The basic answer is you can't stop brass tarnishing, other than by lacquering it or covering it with vaseline, and that doesn't last for ever or look as good as bare polished brass.

 

This is why Brasso sell their polish in such large tins

 

 

MtB

[benfordboy]

Replace the brass with Pure Gold ! - No worries then with polishing & the locals will think you spend all your time with Brasso & a old rag !

 

Eventually although it may not be in your lifetime it will pay for its self in savings in polish !

[carlt]

I learned to love the patina of unpolished brass at an early age.

[Grace and Favour]

If you don't use an appropriate varnish on polished brass - - you will require frequent application of (elbow) grease.

[Doorman]

This subject came up last year when I was lacquering my brass mushrooms. Prior to using the Rylard spray lacquer, I polished with 'Shiny Sinks' then 'Peek' followed by a final clean with methylated spirits. Five of my six new mushrooms lasted only six months before the lacquer peeled off, the last one which was purchased separately, has remained very shiny with the coating intact.

 

I can only imagine that the other five are of a lower quality brass and oxidise or tarnish quicker. All suggestions welcome.

[n.b.Goldie]

Try cleaning with brick acid (available from wickets etc.), it only needs a wipe over for even badly tarnished brass, wash it off then apply clear lacquer.

 

Regards

 

Ditchdabbler

[MHS]

Have had our brass mushrooms abraded, then painted blue.

 

Problem solved!!

[FadeToScarlet]

This is why working boats only had brass within arm's reach of the steered- to be polished when on a long, boring pound.

[Paul C]

Have had our brass mushrooms abraded, then painted blue.

 

Problem solved!!

 

x2, well green

[Salopgal]

The basic answer is you can't stop brass tarnishing, other than by lacquering it or covering it with vaseline, and that doesn't last for ever or look as good as bare polished brass.

 

This is why Brasso sell their polish in such large tins

 

 

MtB

 

Hey Mike - I knew you would come through with common sense! Vaseline eh? I'll give that a go. You are, as ever, a star...

 

x K

[MHS]

Brass on a traditional boat is the obvious choice.

 

We are now in the 21st century, so why fit it on a new boat.

 

Drove home on Sunday past Tatton Park. Car show there.

We saw Triumph TR4, Ford Granada Estate, Ford Escort Escort RS 2000, Triumph Spitfire, Austin 10, Austin 7, need I go on. Plenty of chrome, but no brass!

[JamesWoolcock]

The chappy that sold me Delilah said that once I'd cleaned the brass (and he did mention Shiny Sinks to start off with), also said that Liberon Jade Oil would slow the tarnishing process down. I've noticed that just days after cleaning interior of portholes with brasso, they very quickly dull down to a tarnished pallor and within 2 weeks are already looking a bit grotty.

 

So the question is - what do you use to treat the brass fitments after you've got them shiny as new? Has anyone else used Jade Oil and is it the best thing to try, as it's pretty expensive...?

 

Once again, thank you for all and any advice!

 

K

The real answer is to polish your brass more often! Sorry, but a fact of boating and having brass. Mine are done with Brasso a minimum of once a week, two is better and at gatherings it's every day. Regularly cleaned brass becomes easier and easier to brighten up. If it's going to rain for a few days afterwards, I use WD40 sparingly applied on a cloth. This stops any dirty rain tarnishing them and it wipes off with kitchen paper towel to leave an acceptable finish days later until you can polish them again. WD40 will also take the rain spots off newly polished brass if you didn't check the weather forecast. And if it is raining and you still want to smarten your brass up, WD40 works here again, although they may not shine particularly brightly.

 

James

[Doorman]

Have had our brass mushrooms abraded, then painted blue.

 

Problem solved!!

 

I must admit, I've been tempted to do that to the lower section of mine too.

[jonathanA]

rylards incralac works for me. you do have to be careful if brushing it on to get a good coverage otherwise you can end up with tarnishing if you miss any bits. I find it easy to remove with nail polish remover should you need to.

 

ETA the nail varnish remover is SWMBO's not mine !

Edited June 4, 2013 by jonathanA

[Doorman]

Try cleaning with brick acid (available from wickets etc.), it only needs a wipe over for even badly tarnished brass, wash it off then apply clear lacquer.

 

Regards

 

Ditchdabbler

 

Cheers,

 

I'll try that out before investing in any more mushrooms.

[Pluto]

This is why working boats only had brass within arm's reach of the steered- to be polished when on a long, boring pound.

That's narrow boats you're talking about, on L&LC boats there was no external brass to polish. Engines were another matter; you had to have something to do whilst sat on your bucket.

 

Brass on a traditional boat is the obvious choice.

 

We are now in the 21st century, so why fit it on a new boat.

 

Drove home on Sunday past Tatton Park. Car show there.

We saw Triumph TR4, Ford Granada Estate, Ford Escort Escort RS 2000, Triumph Spitfire, Austin 10, Austin 7, need I go on. Plenty of chrome, but no brass!

On earlier cars it ought to be nickel, rather than the more modern chrome.

[Doorman]

 

ETA the nail varnish remover is SWMBO's not mine !

Yeah, right! :-)

 

 

Started cleaning the mushrooms yesterday and found that nail varnish remover (mine) was ineffective on some parts of the lacquer. What did work though was placing the threaded stem of the mushroom in my battery drill and clamping the drill to a work bench. That works a treat and saves both time and energy.

 

If only I could get the lower section in too!

Edited June 5, 2013 by Doorman

[leolady too]

Cellulose thinners (from Halfrauds if no where else) removes lacquer very quickly and easily. However, it will also take the paint of your roof so use with great care.

[andywatson]

 

ETA the nail varnish remover is SWMBO's not mine !

Oh come on, don't be shy.

[carlt]

 

 

I'll try that out before investing in any more mushrooms.

I find that after investing in mushrooms all my brasswork becomes shiny, shiny with beautiful radiant colours and textures (man).

[Doorman]

I find that after investing in mushrooms all my brasswork becomes shiny, shiny with beautiful radiant colours and textures (man).

Without a doubt, you are completely nuts!

 

Welcome to my world......... :-)