MTFCA Forum

Does anyone polish brass lamps and horn on the west coast? Mine were black when I bought the car six years ago, tried several times to polish but I just make a mess.
Any leads would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Frank @ sarikatime@yahoo.com

Maybe try a musical instrument repair shop?

As usual....pictures? I mean like, are they THAT bad!?? No offense...maybe they were painted? When you say "black"...all I know is in all my not so perfect experience with abused brass, and I'd like to think I've seen my fair share, I've never seen any so bad and black that it's that problematic to bring it back up. That said, I'd love to see how that "Flitz" works that Ed sent you the pic of. Try it, you be the guinea pig and let us know!! My last "brass rejuvenation" on my former Torpedo took me two tubs of Blue Magic, a full week at about 6 hours a day and a lot of sore fingers!! But man did that brass look good when I got done. But, it wasn't "black" either!

I’ve used the Flitz tarnish remover, and I was pretty happy with the results. I really love their polish. It is an excellent product. Be a little pricey.

I don't know about black. I had a dash molding that was pretty dark brown, enough that I tried an edge with a file just to make sure it was really solid brass ! It responded to Lime-Away and Bartender's Friend applied with a super-fine scotchbrite pad. Final polishing with Blue Magic made it mirror-bright.

A restorer friend used to start the process with a diluted metal prep. (Phosphoric acid)
The dark tarnish went away. The brass was left with some copper tint. Finished with "Brite boy " metal polish.

The Flitz stuff is simply amazing. Spray it on, tarnish disappears. It has to be throughly rinsed with water, then the parts polished. I have not tried it on extreme cases of tarnishing, but am thinking it would work well.

Chidgey has been doing this for decades, they are great

Chidgey & Son
4.4(5) · Metal finisher
El Cajon, CA
Open ⋅ Closes 4 PM · (619) 441-2505,

Believe it or not, ketchup works great on brass that is extremely tarnished.

Smear a bunch all over the brass and let it sit. Rinse it off with water and then use your favorite polish to bring it to a shine.

I was going to recommend Chidgey. In fact if you come out to the National Tour in June, you can take it over to El Cajon while you are here. About 10 miles from the tour headquarters.
Norm

I have used Flitz polish for close to 20 years but the lamps that I got with the car have never been polished since day one, that is why they were black. I simply don’t have the time or ambition to bring the shine up properly as I would like, that is why if they were done professionally, I could maintain them. I will call the company in San Diego today.
Thank you for all the responses. Frank

I use the Brite Boy when the brass has a lot of tarnish. I don't like the polishes that require a water rinse.... The Brite Boy works very quick and super easy and is pretty cheap and available at local janitorial supply places. I buy it in a gallon jug and offer samples to guys. I don't think it a great idea to use some of the acid type solutions but understand the frustrations that guys have. The Brite Boy doesn't leave that deep shine we like so a quick polish with any of the good polishes like Mothers Billet, Blue Magic or Flitz is real easy and leaves a protective coating. Covering the brass with the fannel bags really helps prolong the shine