Polishing Brass

[Chavez]

Hi!

I did a bit of searching and couldn't find any topics about polishing brass hardware.

What compound do you use to polish your brass buckles, d-rinds, etc? How do you polish them once they are attached to leather?

I've seen some "Brasso" polish in local shops, both in liquid and paste form, so I would be grateful if anyone could advise which one's better (or if brasso's to be avoided).

Thank you!

[PL01]

You used to be able to get a tin with something like cotton wool in it that was impregnated with a Brasso type polish. Saves you getting the polish in places you don't want it to be. I used a lot of it polishing horse brasses etc. Local hardware shop should have it. I used to give them a coat of Renaissance Wax after polishing to stop them tarnishing so quick.

Hope that helps

[PL01]

It's called Duraglit, knew I'd remember it

[Phatdaddy]

If it's something you only need for 1 job or a small job try some toothpaste.

Kevin

[Tree Reaper]

How do you polish them once they are attached to leather?

You can install snaps if the belt isn't stitched.

[gary]

How do you polish them once they are attached to leather?

You'll need to make a type of 'shield' (have a look at http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/shop/british-militaria/uniform-accessories/fantastic-brass-button-stick-535363.html for an example) to protect the leather while you buff up the brass. I have an old shield but I also make them out of tin, card or plastic if it's for a specific job.

Hope that helps.

Gary

[colttrainer]

I use Brasso in the liquid, never had a problem with leather discoloring but then I only used it on black harness leather when we showed harness horses.

[Chavez]

Thank you for your replies!

I'll give brasso a go then=)

[celticleather]

I always polish my brassware before installing it on the belt/harness/whatever. I use Duraglit, followed by a coat of Renaissance Wax, which prevents tarnishing and fingerprints on the metalwork during installation.

[mrdabeetle]

If it's something you only need for 1 job or a small job try some toothpaste.

Kevin

Ditto on the toothpaste, the stuff works great for many things including resurfacing cd/dvd's, just make sure it is plain white toothpaste.

[Chavez]

Yeah, I already know the CD toothpaste trick, thanks =)))

I'll definitely polish the hardware before installing it, but I think brass tends to oxidize very quickly (a few months), so I'm planning ahead =)

[Sylvia]

Hi!

I did a bit of searching and couldn't find any topics about polishing brass hardware.

What compound do you use to polish your brass buckles, d-rinds, etc? How do you polish them once they are attached to leather?

I've seen some "Brasso" polish in local shops, both in liquid and paste form, so I would be grateful if anyone could advise which one's better (or if brasso's to be avoided).

Thank you!

it really depends on if the brass is clear coated or not... but... it is likely that you have what you need right in your refrigerator.

1. Catsup/Ketchup.

2. Lemon and salt.

3. Vinegar and salt and flour

4 soak it in TEXAS PETE brand hot sauce

all of these work nicely... but I think I would use caution with catsup or hot sauce when the brass is already on the leather.

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/heloise/best-way-to-polish-brass

[Targaid]

Brasso is now a defunct product (it was good in its time) their reformulated product is virtually useless. I suggest and recommmend these two products A." Never-Dull" (its an impregnated wadding) and B. "Autosol"metal polish its made in Germany. I use a considerable amount of Brass in my work (Scottish Targes) and I use both products all the time.

[McJeep]

Now that's just too funny - I was about to post with the exact same two recommendations - never dull wadding and a tube (comes in like a toothpaste tube) of autosol have been what I've used on all my bike bits for years - so I second the motion ;0)