brass cleaning and maintaining question

[ballandcap]

What is the best brass cleaner that you all have used? I have used Brasso and it cleans a brown dingy piece of brass to a shiny piece right away. It seems that it dulls up in no time at all and is back to where it was too fast. Is there something better, or once it is cleaned is there something you can polish to maintain that luster and protect it?

 

[paulvallandigham]

Some use spray lacquer to cover the brass to keep it shiney. UNless you are using a gun in lots of parades, I can't imagine why you want to keep the brass shiney. Certainly, shiney brass is a hindrance in the woods when hunting, as the flash of light of any bright surface can spook game. We don't see this kind of frightened behavior in farm country when hunting deer, but in true wilderness, people are still usually feared, and avoided, and flashing metal indicates people have invaded the neighborhood! :thumbsup:

 

[MikeC]

Spraying with a sealer is about all you can do or applying paste wax constantly might help if you become anal about it.

For me personally it can't patina quick enough and the richer the patina the better, but to each their own.

 

[nw_hunter]

Shined up the old army brass many,many times with Brasso.Sure do miss not doing that! :barf: "Not really" My T/C Hawken was made in the late 70's and I don't think it has ever seen a brass cleaner.Gonna keep it that way. :grin:

 

[trent/OH]

As a range officer at shooting competitions, shiny brass is an important clue as to who is a new shooter, and may need some extra attention during the shoot. So I don't mind seeing shiny brass, it tells me who is new and can best benefit from my attention.

 

[MSW]

BallnCap, as any good gunnery sergeant or former paratrooper can tell you, Brasso has amonia in it, which is why it works so well, and why the shine is temporary. About the first half of a Division pass- in- review is all you can reasonably expect before the tarnish reappears. As far as getting in in all the nooks and crannies, well i don't miss that too much either. If you have a shine on your furniture and you are hot to keep it, the pastewax trick may help. Also, you might want to try Rennaissance Wax (available thrrough Museum Replicas- they make swords, and i think also Track of the Wolf).

Personally, i agree with the let- it- be crowd, but that's just one guy's opinion.

good luck

msw

 

[Vaino]

Slightly "aged" brass along w/ a non-glare stock finish contribute to a "softer" look. I go the opposite route of shiney brass by applying cold blue and rubbing out w/ steel wool.... afterall, a MLer isn't a "jewel" but a tool. To each his own, I guess..Fred

 

[Slake]

Zep metal cleaner...It's the best...it'll make your brass look like gold..it comes in a big toothpaste like tube...great stuff..it's a pink cream..

 

[ballandcap]

I hear you guys about the shiny brass in the field, and it being a pain in the you know what to clean. This is one that won't see much or any hunting use I am sure. Just a question though. What is the best way to patina or antique brass? I wasn't sure what would stick or actually work on brass. Would like to get more of a blued or an iron look. Thanks again.

 

[Dphar]

I hear you guys about the shiny brass in the field, and it being a pain in the you know what to clean. This is one that won't see much or any hunting use I am sure. Just a question though. What is the best way to patina or antique brass? I wasn't sure what would stick or actually work on brass. Would like to get more of a blued or an iron look. Thanks again.

Black powder fouling will patina brass.
If you want black use brass black for Birchwood Casey.

Dan

 

[renovato]

Can't always tell they're new from the shiney brass. I've been shooting for 30 some odd years and I keep the brass on a couple of my front stuffers shiney. They aren't guns that I hunt with and I like the bling of freshly polished brass.

If ya see a long haired, bearded feller with a T/C Seneca, Patriot pistol and a Traditions Trapper all nice and polished like, c'mon over and say howdy! :haha:

 

[GreyWhiskers]

My T/C Hawken was made in the late 70's and I don't think it has ever seen a brass cleaner.

DITTO. Nothing wrong with shiny but I've grown to like the aged look. It's the kinda look that's hard to duplicate. GW

 

[TANSTAAFL]

That shiney brass will git yar har lifted. :wink:

 

[awp101]

That shiney brass will git yar har lifted. :wink:

Sniper check! :haha: