A Brass Clear Coat Discolor Problem

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
J1MGOLDEN
Posts: 1230
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:39 pm
First Name: James
Last Name: Golden
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Model T Roadster
Location: Bowie, MD

A Brass Clear Coat Discolor Problem

Post by J1MGOLDEN » Sun Oct 23, 2022 9:33 am

When shiny brass is clear coated to keep the shine and turns brown in 15 years, what is the best way to remove the old clear coat?

Should the coating just be left off after polishing the light in the beginning?


TXGOAT2
Posts: 7391
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:08 pm
First Name: Pat
Last Name: McNallen
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926-7 roadster
Location: Graham, Texas
Board Member Since: 2021

Re: A Brass Clear Coat Discolor Problem

Post by TXGOAT2 » Sun Oct 23, 2022 9:38 am

"Will not chip, crack, peel, yellow, or fade"..... except IT ALWAYS DOES. Don't clear coat brass with anything you can't wipe off easily.


Rich P. Bingham
Posts: 1611
Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2022 11:24 am
First Name: Rich
Last Name: Bingham
Location: Blackfoot, Idaho
Board Member Since: 2015

Re: A Brass Clear Coat Discolor Problem

Post by Rich P. Bingham » Sun Oct 23, 2022 10:12 am

Since it's already been coated these fifteen years a-gone, the question is, how to remove it ? Lacquer thinner would be a good solvent to try at first. It could be pretty stubborn.

I agree with Pat, it's usually best not to coat polished brass with anything, but then, there's the polishing. Fun for some, not for all. :lol:
Get a horse !


ThreePedalTapDancer
Posts: 1631
Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2019 2:29 pm
First Name: Ed
Last Name: Martin
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1909 Touring
Location: Idaho

Re: A Brass Clear Coat Discolor Problem

Post by ThreePedalTapDancer » Sun Oct 23, 2022 11:33 am

I recently went through same problem. I had to use brush on aircraft paint remover, it took multiple applications to remove it all. Lacquer thinner won’t touch stuff that’s been on there for decades.

User avatar

TWrenn
Posts: 3743
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:53 am
First Name: Tim
Last Name: Wrenn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13 Touring, '26 "Overlap" Fordor
Location: Ohio
Board Member Since: 2019

Re: A Brass Clear Coat Discolor Problem

Post by TWrenn » Sun Oct 23, 2022 6:14 pm

If lacquer thinner won't take "something" off, it's probly due to the chemical makeup of the product, not how long its been there.

Like Rich says...I don't coat anything. But then, being a shiny brass snob, I do like to polish brass. I know I'm sick-minded! :lol: But it does give me therapy and a sense of accomplishment when I'm done and it's so shiny!

User avatar

Sean Butler
Posts: 170
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:22 pm
First Name: Sean
Last Name: Butler
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Touring
Location: Huntington Beach, CA

Re: A Brass Clear Coat Discolor Problem

Post by Sean Butler » Wed Nov 02, 2022 4:55 pm

I used DMF or Dimethylformamide on some very nice repop lights I had purchased. Very nasty stuff but worked great. Not sure where you can get it but I was lucky to work in a plastics plant with all sorts of nasty chemicals. I am in agreement with the other posters, Don't coat your brass!
Sean Butler
Huntington Beach, CA

User avatar

Mark Nunn
Posts: 1241
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 8:01 am
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Nunn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Runabout
Location: Bennington, NE
Board Member Since: 2017

Re: A Brass Clear Coat Discolor Problem

Post by Mark Nunn » Thu Nov 03, 2022 8:19 am

This was a successful removal without harsh chemicals.

viewtopic.php?t=22606


Loftfield
Posts: 271
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 1:26 pm
First Name: Thomas
Last Name: Loftfield
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 Touring, 1912 Express Pick-up
Location: Brevard, NC, USA

Re: A Brass Clear Coat Discolor Problem

Post by Loftfield » Thu Nov 03, 2022 8:30 am

While you are trying various solvents, there is always acetone and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) the latter being PVC pipe cleaner. Both are a little more aggressive than lacquer thinner. Even lacquer thinners come in varying degrees of aggressiveness depending on the temperature of the lacquer for which they are designed.

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic