Polishing brass
- fel bautista
- Posts: 2162
- Joined: Fri Sep 26, 2003 1:43 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 12
- Location: Raleigh 753 circa 1979 in Diamond Bar, Ca
Polishing brass
I'm starting to oxidize the brass keys and bass bar on my full set, which, I think, is a good thing. It means I'm playing it. But, I want to keep the brass nice and brite. I was thinking specifcally of those wipe-y tissues except for metal?? I have thought of that cotton batting that has polish imbeded in it, but was looking for more ideas.
- MTGuru
- Posts: 18663
- Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:45 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Location: San Diego, CA
Re: Polishing brass
Don't know about pipes specifically, Fel. On all my brass I use Simichrome, which I'm sure you're familiar with from the world of bicycles. In fact, I recently polished my De Keyzer half set, both chanters. Took forever - 40 separate pieces of brass - but it turned out great.
A lot of people recommend Sunshine Cloths, including (I think) Michael Eskin. These Japanese-made chem cloths are non-abrasive, and are available at great prices from this eBay store in (I think) the LA area:
http://stores.ebay.com/Veras-Fashion-Je ... ec0Q2em322
Haven't tried them yet myself, but ordering a pile of them is on my short to-do list.
A lot of people recommend Sunshine Cloths, including (I think) Michael Eskin. These Japanese-made chem cloths are non-abrasive, and are available at great prices from this eBay store in (I think) the LA area:
http://stores.ebay.com/Veras-Fashion-Je ... ec0Q2em322
Haven't tried them yet myself, but ordering a pile of them is on my short to-do list.
Vivat diabolus in musica! MTGuru's (old) GG Clips / Blackbird Clips
Joel Barish: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
Joel Barish: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
- PJ
- Posts: 5886
- Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:23 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: ......................................................................................................
- Location: Baychimo
Re: Polishing brass
Be careful of what you use, as some products will increase the oxidization. I used a product called NevR Dull (Duraglit in Ireland & UK) to polish up the brass on my pipes but it left a residue which reacted with perspiration and left green streaks all over the pipes.
I don't know what the wipes will do for the brass on your pipes but try it on one key to begin with. Though I suspect you'd be better keeping a roll of Scott towel close by and using that to wipe the keys after practising.
I don't know what the wipes will do for the brass on your pipes but try it on one key to begin with. Though I suspect you'd be better keeping a roll of Scott towel close by and using that to wipe the keys after practising.
PJ
Re: Polishing brass
I use the same Never Dull as you do PJ.. I used to use it on my aluminum on my Harley years ago. and your right there is a greenish thing that happens if you don't get it all off.
I found that after I polish up the brass with Never dull I take a clean soft rag like terry cloth, or old cotton t-shirt, and really wipe off everything then I use Renascence wax and then do the polishing. [I guess you could use any type of car wax but I like the Renascence wax.. I use it on every thing including my MacCallum GHB].
If I us the Never Dull that way they come up just sparkling shiny. Not sure what the stuff is in the Never Dull but it does do some funny stuff although it sure cleans up the oxidization.
At the end of it all Never Dull really works to get rid of the oxidization to a gleaming shinny surface but has to be really cleaned off then waxed to increase the shine and puts a protective surface on the brass that really does last longer..
And Shine they Do !!!!
Johnniez
I found that after I polish up the brass with Never dull I take a clean soft rag like terry cloth, or old cotton t-shirt, and really wipe off everything then I use Renascence wax and then do the polishing. [I guess you could use any type of car wax but I like the Renascence wax.. I use it on every thing including my MacCallum GHB].
If I us the Never Dull that way they come up just sparkling shiny. Not sure what the stuff is in the Never Dull but it does do some funny stuff although it sure cleans up the oxidization.
At the end of it all Never Dull really works to get rid of the oxidization to a gleaming shinny surface but has to be really cleaned off then waxed to increase the shine and puts a protective surface on the brass that really does last longer..
And Shine they Do !!!!
Johnniez
Every Day Is A Great Day
Some Are Just Better Than Others
Some Are Just Better Than Others
- tommykleen
- Posts: 1686
- Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2002 6:00 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: I am interested in the uilleann pipes and their typical -and broader- use. I have been composing and arranging for the instrument lately. I enjoy unusual harmonic combinations on the pipes. I use the pipes to play music of other cultures.
- Location: Minnesota, Birthplace of the pop-up toaster
- Contact:
Re: Polishing brass
I dunno, Fel. If your set is like mine, then it has been played by some amazing pipers. I've given shining it up a thought but, ultimately, I didn't want to lose all that mojo.
T
T
- irishpiper
- Posts: 294
- Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2003 8:33 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: uyguyguyguygug;skdjvlsa fvla bnsldcv nasnc:sodv jcpoaenvpiseripsertnvpa epaoeunvasuepv; auenr;usaenrviusanrvueapr;gvoajneproivea[orivjae['oirvjnae['oirvnae'oirvnas'[oirvn'[aenv'[saepoirnv['soeirnv['sonv[oeirvn['oeirnv['oisenrv['oisernjv['oisenv[oiserntv[oisenjv[oisrjtb[oisrtj[bsirpotbosirnboisemfvo[sierfvmseoiv
Re: Polishing brass
Just a side note: For polishing chrome; use Windex. I have used it for years on my Harley and my chrome plated pipes; works great and is less abrasive then any polish out there.
-
- Posts: 936
- Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 6:34 pm
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
- Location: Finland,Oulu-city200km south from articcirclr
- Contact:
Re: Polishing brass
it's a neverending story with brass to keep it shiny.....we'll I polished allmost all parts(fullset) with polishing machine ,others with chrome polishingpaste.
When all parts were shiny and clean ,I sprayed 2 composite laquer on..(offcourse taped wooden etc parts)..allmost 2 years now, set shine still as new exept some small marks on regkeys heads.
(Bad thing is that all laquercompound must use between few hours after "opening" spray can.Hardener and laquer are now in the same can after broken mixing seal between these)
When all parts were shiny and clean ,I sprayed 2 composite laquer on..(offcourse taped wooden etc parts)..allmost 2 years now, set shine still as new exept some small marks on regkeys heads.
(Bad thing is that all laquercompound must use between few hours after "opening" spray can.Hardener and laquer are now in the same can after broken mixing seal between these)
- rgouette
- Posts: 761
- Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2001 6:00 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
~Jesus of Nazareth - Location: Maine
- Contact:
Re: Polishing brass
It's been a while since I shined the half set up: but when I was, I also used NeverDull:
I didn't experience any discoloration, but then again, maybe I'm just not playing them long enough
to generate sweat..
I also tend to use sparingly/carefully & not let the swab touch wood.
We used it in the Navy, and it's the killerest stuff for shinyness..
my most humblest of .02
R
ps. I don;t think I've seen Brasso mentioned yet..good stuff.
Though, never have used it on pipes.
I didn't experience any discoloration, but then again, maybe I'm just not playing them long enough
to generate sweat..
I also tend to use sparingly/carefully & not let the swab touch wood.
We used it in the Navy, and it's the killerest stuff for shinyness..
my most humblest of .02
R
ps. I don;t think I've seen Brasso mentioned yet..good stuff.
Though, never have used it on pipes.
- billh
- Posts: 2159
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 6:15 am
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
- Location: Skerries, County Dublin
- Contact:
Re: Polishing brass
Windex, or any ammonia-containing brass or copper polish, is very bad news for brass. DON'T use it - the ammonia compounds get under the brass ferrules, into cracks and crevices, etc. and eat away silently. Also, as others have pointed out, these chemical polishes tend to accelerate tarnishing after the fact.
I would stay away from all of the chemical ones, and use only abrasive-based polishes. I've heard that Brasso is not a good choice either - though I am not certain it contains ammonia. Probably you should visit your local jeweler, rather than the hardware store, if you want suitable polishing materials.
There are ultra-fine abrasive based silver polishes which are probably the best choice. Koehler and Quinn recommend Cape Cod Cloths, if I recall correctly, which while impregnated with something-or-other, seem not to accelerate the return of corrosion as other compounds can.
Bill
P.S. - lacquer is great for awhile, but unless you are equipped to (safely) remove it (which uilleannfinlander is), I would not apply it. IMO scratched and peeling lacquer looks worst of all... something like Renaissance wax makes sense, as it just disappears as it wears away. It's what museums use, I understand, to preserve and protect metal surfaces.
I would stay away from all of the chemical ones, and use only abrasive-based polishes. I've heard that Brasso is not a good choice either - though I am not certain it contains ammonia. Probably you should visit your local jeweler, rather than the hardware store, if you want suitable polishing materials.
There are ultra-fine abrasive based silver polishes which are probably the best choice. Koehler and Quinn recommend Cape Cod Cloths, if I recall correctly, which while impregnated with something-or-other, seem not to accelerate the return of corrosion as other compounds can.
Bill
P.S. - lacquer is great for awhile, but unless you are equipped to (safely) remove it (which uilleannfinlander is), I would not apply it. IMO scratched and peeling lacquer looks worst of all... something like Renaissance wax makes sense, as it just disappears as it wears away. It's what museums use, I understand, to preserve and protect metal surfaces.
- Patrick D'Arcy
- Posts: 3187
- Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2001 6:00 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 12
- Location: Los Angeles (via Dublin, Ireland)
- Contact:
Re: Polishing brass
Piper Sunday: socalpipers.com/piper_sunday.html
Pipes: UilleannObsession.com
Music: PatrickDarcyMusic.com
YouTube: My Channel - Click & Subscribe!
Southern California Pipers Club: socalpipers.com
Web Design: DarcyCreative.com
Pipes: UilleannObsession.com
Music: PatrickDarcyMusic.com
YouTube: My Channel - Click & Subscribe!
Southern California Pipers Club: socalpipers.com
Web Design: DarcyCreative.com
- MTGuru
- Posts: 18663
- Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:45 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Location: San Diego, CA
Re: Polishing brass
Interesting. That does appear to be so, resulting in a problem called season cracking. But the necessary factors seem to be prolonged or repeated exposure to ammonia or ammonia vapor, high temperatures, and highly stressed metal. None of which I'd reckon would be major factors in a one-time polishing.billh wrote:Windex, or any ammonia-containing brass or copper polish, is very bad news for brass. DON'T use it - the ammonia compounds get under the brass ferrules, into cracks and crevices, etc. and eat away silently.
Anecdotally, I've noticed no long term ill effects from the use of Simichrome (which contains ammonium oleate) on my brass whistles or fittings. The amounts applied are tiny, and are buffed and evaporated off immediately. Still, this is good to know about.
Just adding ... I'm actually not 100% sure if these are non-abrasive or micro abrasive.MTGuru wrote:A lot of people recommend Sunshine Cloths ... These Japanese-made chem cloths are non-abrasive
Vivat diabolus in musica! MTGuru's (old) GG Clips / Blackbird Clips
Joel Barish: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
Joel Barish: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
Re: Polishing brass
Why polish them? Yeah, okay, once a decade is sufficient, but just to remove the grime. A small chip of jewellers rouge will do, simply rub it on a t-shirt and go. Don't leave any residue between the key and block, though. If you really want to keep them shiny, you are in for a long and wearying life of brass polishing. And they look so honest, all brown and red... and played.
-
- Posts: 936
- Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 6:34 pm
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
- Location: Finland,Oulu-city200km south from articcirclr
- Contact:
Re: Polishing brass
about laquer I used...hard and stretch. Spraying needs some experiments to get good surface, and all metalparts must be washed and dried well after polishing before laquering.(No fingerprints etc)Imade some spcial jigs for certain parts to rotate them when laquering.
Well ,laquering is not final solution , but if it stands for several years, much less work than polishin weekly.
Well ,laquering is not final solution , but if it stands for several years, much less work than polishin weekly.
-
- Posts: 1014
- Joined: Mon Jan 06, 2003 6:00 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 12
- Location: S.F. CA area
Re: Polishing brass
Brasso is an ammonia-bearing no-no. Ammonia "burns" and damages the surface of the brass causing faster and un-natural looking corrosion. It will tarnish quicker and gives an ugly patina. The patina on some modern brass alloys turns red and brown. The antique brass develops a nicer patina. Cape Cod cloths, Miracle cloths etc. clean the brass quickly and leave a protective wax which retards oxidation for months. You can polish with jeweler's rouge and let the patina develop naturally or add museum wax to protect the surface. Some people have very corrosive sweat. They not only tarnish, but deeply etch their sets. Such damage requires cleaning with tripoli and rouge polish on a wheel. For hand cleaning, Bon Ami works well. It is a soft abrasive, made from feldspar, which, while being used on a damp cloth, breaks down finer and finer during use, leaving a high polish by hand.