Stains in Brass

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Rob Patterson
Posts: 62
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:08 pm
First Name: Robert
Last Name: Patterson
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '21 Canadian built Aust'n Bodied (Steenbohms) Touring & '15 Speedster
Location: South Coast, NSW, Australia
Board Member Since: 2003

Stains in Brass

Post by Rob Patterson » Fri Oct 18, 2019 1:41 am

Hi Folks,
Next weekend is our car clubs annual "Show-n-Shine" and I'm getting my new-ish Speedster ready for its first Club outing.
I've been polishing brass for the first time (for the car, not me) and its taking an eternity because its new, I suppose. I'm just about finished, but there is a problem that you might be able to advise me on.
Some of the brass, has stains in it, that wont polish out. There is a section of brass channel that skirts around the firewall, that has these deep cherry coloured/black-ish stains. Also a couple of the hubcaps are stained too. Some of it, the small, minor stains, have come out with a lot of elbow grease, but the deeper ones wont budge.
If you know what I'm talking about and have come across this before, can you offer me some advice on how to go about removing it please?
Would a really fine wet-n-dry paper, say 2000, do the job? Then polish it as per normal? Or is this the wrong way to go.
Your advice please.
Cheers,
Rob
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"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." HENRY FORD


ShirkWood
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Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 9:27 pm
First Name: Verne
Last Name: Shirk
Location: Kansas

Re: Stains in Brass

Post by ShirkWood » Fri Oct 18, 2019 3:05 am

If I'm understanding you correctly, these are copper colored spots on the brass. Officially, I believe it is dezincification. The zinc has left the brass alloy. You might be able to sand through them. I like to leave them. It is proof that your brass is original.

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Corey Walker
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 runabout, 1921 homemade truck, 1921 Speedster
Location: Brownsboro, TX
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Re: Stains in Brass

Post by Corey Walker » Fri Oct 18, 2019 10:02 am

If Spots won’t polish out I sand them as you said with fine sandpaper then use a buffer-polisher.
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Corey Walker, Brownsboro, Texas


Rich Bingham
Posts: 1922
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First Name: Rich
Last Name: Bingham
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 runabout
Location: Blackfoot, Idaho

Re: Stains in Brass

Post by Rich Bingham » Fri Oct 18, 2019 10:41 am

"Dezincification". ❤️
Look it up in your Funk & Wagnall's
"Get a horse !"

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Mark Gregush
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First Name: Mark
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 cutdown PU, 1920 Dodge touring, 1948 F2 Ford flat head 6 pickup 3 speed
Location: Portland Or
MTFCA Number: 52564
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Stains in Brass

Post by Mark Gregush » Fri Oct 18, 2019 11:19 am

I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup

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Topic author
Rob Patterson
Posts: 62
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:08 pm
First Name: Robert
Last Name: Patterson
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '21 Canadian built Aust'n Bodied (Steenbohms) Touring & '15 Speedster
Location: South Coast, NSW, Australia
Board Member Since: 2003

Re: Stains in Brass

Post by Rob Patterson » Fri Oct 18, 2019 4:05 pm

"Thanks" Gents.
This is new brass, but I suspect some of it came from China.
Cheers,
Rob
"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." HENRY FORD

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