Shiny Carburetors

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Mark Osterman
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Shiny Carburetors

Post by Mark Osterman » Sat May 18, 2019 9:47 pm

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?

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Ruxstel24
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Re: Shiny Carburetors

Post by Ruxstel24 » Sun May 19, 2019 10:06 am

Gas eats most lacquer...

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Steve Jelf
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Re: Shiny Carburetors

Post by Steve Jelf » Sun May 19, 2019 10:07 am

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.
IMG_2337 copy.JPG
A bronze Holley G shines up very nicely with a little Dremel wire brush.

IMG_2341 copy.JPG
If I want to keep it shiny I'll take it out and hit it with the brush again next winter.
The inevitable often happens.
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Nv Bob
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Re: Shiny Carburetors

Post by Nv Bob » Sun May 19, 2019 10:15 am

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


Original Smith
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Re: Shiny Carburetors

Post by Original Smith » Sun May 19, 2019 10:18 am

I have enough trouble keeping the radiator shined!

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TWrenn
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Re: Shiny Carburetors

Post by TWrenn » Sun May 19, 2019 1:10 pm

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

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Mark Gregush
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Re: Shiny Carburetors

Post by Mark Gregush » Sun May 19, 2019 1:30 pm

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.
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George House
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Re: Shiny Carburetors

Post by George House » Sun May 19, 2019 7:29 pm

Mark; you initially asked “What is generally used to keep them shiny”... In my case it’s a fireplace mantle:
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I don’t know why I turned out this way. My parents were decent people 🤪


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Re: Shiny Carburetors

Post by John kuehn » Mon May 20, 2019 8:54 am

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.

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