Just curious
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Topic author - Posts: 1922
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:23 am
- First Name: Rich
- Last Name: Bingham
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 runabout
- Location: Blackfoot, Idaho
Just curious
What are the chances being a “brass snob” goes back much further than the latter-day affliction that infects some of today’s hobbyists ? Did owners back in the day dote on their noble steeds, polishing brass to a blinding glow, while looking down on the slovenly who let it all tarnish to dull brownish-green ? Did the owners of cars two to eight years old lament the disappearance of brass ? Or did they applaud being released from the tedium of having to keep brass looking “pretty” when the Model T became more “business-like” and utilitarian as its numbers on the roads and byways began to increase at a geometric rate ?
I confess to having wasted many hours of my younger days polishing, primping and caressing automotive objects of affection into a state of transient beauty and “perfect” cleanliness. That quest no longer has a hold on me, and I actually kinda like my Lizzie best when she’s muddy and tarnished, but I have to admit there’s nothing quite as satisfying as bringing the luster back to tarnished brass. No plated bright work, nickel, chrome nor stainless can compete with the gratification I get from bringing brass back to a high polish !
I confess to having wasted many hours of my younger days polishing, primping and caressing automotive objects of affection into a state of transient beauty and “perfect” cleanliness. That quest no longer has a hold on me, and I actually kinda like my Lizzie best when she’s muddy and tarnished, but I have to admit there’s nothing quite as satisfying as bringing the luster back to tarnished brass. No plated bright work, nickel, chrome nor stainless can compete with the gratification I get from bringing brass back to a high polish !
"Get a horse !"
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- First Name: Henry
- Last Name: Lee
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Many
- Location: South Pittsburg, TN
- MTFCA Number: 479
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
Re: Just curious
Now let us not get into a match who can polish brass the best like MMO! Cabin Fever is hell but man our cars are ready for the road!!!!!
Hank
Hank
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- First Name: Dan
- Last Name: Treace
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '23 cutoff, '25 touring, '27 touring
- Location: North Central FL
- MTFCA Number: 4838
- MTFCI Number: 115
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Re: Just curious
Well, seems like enough in the day didn't like to polish brass.....paint it black
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
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- First Name: Colin
- Last Name: Mavins
- Location: Winnipeg Canada
Re: Just curious
We have some of Dr. Bonds journals he was the original owner, and in them he wrote how he enjoyed polishing the rad , but nothing else he also replaced his brass side lamps with all black lamps in 1915.
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- Posts: 1028
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 5:32 am
- First Name: Leo
- Last Name: van Stirum
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Huckster, '66 CJ5 daily driver
- Location: Netherlands
- Board Member Since: 2016
Re: Just curious
I have a steel 'black' T so no brass polishing for me but if i ever get the irresistable urge i have some brass artillery shells to satisfy my restless mind.
The big one is a 1917 4" shell of about Three! feet tall, it'll keep me busy for the better part of a day
The big one is a 1917 4" shell of about Three! feet tall, it'll keep me busy for the better part of a day
When in trouble, do not fear, blame the second engineer !
Leo van Stirum, Netherlands
'23 Huckster, '66 CJ5 daily driver
Leo van Stirum, Netherlands
'23 Huckster, '66 CJ5 daily driver
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- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:51 am
- First Name: Richard
- Last Name: Eagle
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 TR 1914 TR 1915 Rd 1920 Spdstr 1922 Coupe 1925 Tudor
- Location: Idaho Falls, ID
- MTFCA Number: 1219
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Re: Just curious
I'm sure there were as many different attitudes back then as there are today. If I am going to show my '09 or'15 I can get enthused to polish the brass. Otherwise I let it go and appreciate the change in color. We see a lot of old photos showing the wear and tear and mud etc. As the cars aged it probably came less important to shine them. Then came the restoration craze and spit polishing became popular again.
I recall some older brass car owners who didn't show their cars because it took 2 or 3 days to make them pretty enough. I am getting to that age but have found that mine are just as show-able either way. Interestingly, The Street Car crowd seems intent on shining the chrome and metallic paint. Are they becoming the new purists?
I recall some older brass car owners who didn't show their cars because it took 2 or 3 days to make them pretty enough. I am getting to that age but have found that mine are just as show-able either way. Interestingly, The Street Car crowd seems intent on shining the chrome and metallic paint. Are they becoming the new purists?
When did I do that?
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Topic author - Posts: 1922
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:23 am
- First Name: Rich
- Last Name: Bingham
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 runabout
- Location: Blackfoot, Idaho
Re: Just curious
Just my own opinion, but I don’t think the “purest” of Model T purists can hold a candle to guys who put mirrors under their show cars !
"Get a horse !"