MTFCA Forum

Depending on the look of the entire car, some people like a very shiny brass / bronze carburetor and others prefer the dark brown that comes from time and use. So when carburetors are polished, what is generally used to keep them shiny ... spray lacquer?

Gas eats most lacquer...

I dislike lacquer on brass or bronze. It will preserve the shine, but eventually when you have to remove it (you will), it's the job from Hell. For me, the way to keep it polished is to polish it again.
A bronze Holley G shines up very nicely with a little Dremel wire brush.

If I want to keep it shiny I'll take it out and hit it with the brush again next winter.

I have used high temp clear engine spray paint on other brass fittings and carbs
This clear resists oil grease and gas
But like Steve Heff states ciated brass looks just like coated brass and over time wears and looks nasty

I have enough trouble keeping the radiator shined!

I'll second that one Larry! Besides, now all I have are nice black NH's anyway.

I don't go for the real shinny look, don't think they ever were highly polished anyway (bowls maybe), but sure look nice when done that way. I glass bead, then then let them age in place.

Mark; you initially asked “What is generally used to keep them shiny”... In my case it’s a fireplace mantle:

Most likely the brass carbs were clean and in their original unpolished condition when installed at the factory. Sort of like brass fittings as you find them in bins at the hardware store. Clean but “shined” up. As time went on they turned like any other brass fitting being used.