How to reduce oxidation of copper rivets?

[fredk]

That is unfortunate. Try using a good brass cleaner [I use stuff called 'Brasso'] first,  clean that off with a clean cloth then coat it with clear nail lacquer. But make sure its the old style lacquer which smells, its mostly been replaced by an acrylic lacquer with no or little smell. That will do you for a while

[Beehive]

I've been looking for some lacquer paint to coat some old conchos. The original finish has worn off. These are silver plated brass. I want to prevent tarnish. 

Airbrush? Nope. Most are watered based. I'm looking for the real deal, you could paint an old car, single coat, clear lacquer. I wasn't looking forward to having to clean my airbrush with lacquer thinner. If you've never experienced lacquer thinner. Let's say it has a serious industrial overtone. 

Looks like I'm going with model car paint. Comes in a small spray can. 

 

The issue with using something like Simichrome to polished mounted conchos or rivets. Is the black residue it leaves behind. Black smudge that will not be able to cleaned from the surrounding leather. 

 

[Northmount]

4 hours ago, Beehive said:

I've been looking for some lacquer paint to coat some old conchos.

Try the finishes (paint) area of your local hardware store.  I've found lacquer (real stuff) in spray cans.  You can go to automotive suppliers and find automotive lacquer.  Some places will load it into spray cans.

[Beehive]

Just now, Northmount said:

Try the finishes (paint) area of your local hardware store.  I've found lacquer (real stuff) in spray cans.  You can go to automotive suppliers and find automotive lacquer.  Some places will load it into spray cans.

 

The model paint surprised me in general. I've used the enamel and I don't know what they do but it's better then the big spray cans. Sprays finer also. 

You gotta wonder why they want $10 for a tiny can of it. Not offering big cans. I wouldn't think a person would need that level of durability on a plastic model car but I guess they do. 

I'm also contemplating sacrificing a one ounce silver slug coin and start plating copper rivets. I have nickel anodes but trying silver would make it fun. 

[RichardJ]

49 minutes ago, Northmount said:

Try the finishes (paint) area of your local hardware store.  I've found lacquer (real stuff) in spray cans.  You can go to automotive suppliers and find automotive lacquer.  Some places will load it into spray cans.

I’ll most likely end up doing this. I didn’t want to buy a can but it seems to be all that’s available around me. I’ll just do it, I guess it doesn’t make a big difference as I can stray it into a container and use a paint brush to apply it.