I helping with the finishing touches after a major overhaul (including a total rewiring) of an open trolley here at Seashore (Connecticut Company #838). It has many large brass parts that need polishing (see two below). There is pressure to get the car back in service so I can't use the elbow grease method. Any ideas? Also given the sea air in Kennebunkport is there anything you have found to keep them shining? Chances that the operating guys would keep them polished is very slim.

There are two ways of doing it mechanicaly. First is cotton mops which are mounted on coned spindles, sometimes powered by motors like bench grinders. Alternativly they can be used in power drills. You use blocks of 'soap' to lubricate the mops and act as an abrasive. Alternativly there are felt wheels and cones which are simaly driven and you use metal polish on them to lubricate. It must be pointed out that these will damage paint work if they are touched by the wheels. In cases of extreme layers of dirt and tarnish use fine wet and dry or wire wool with plenty of water before polishing. I dont like cemical cleaning as it always afects the serface and you end up re polishing by hand.

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At the Hesston Steam Museum, we've had good success with a product called "Purple Metal Polish", made I believe by California Customs. We buy it from Speedway Motors, online. We put a 14" Crown on display at the local Tourist Bureau office over 3 years ago, after polishing all the brass trim items. Haven't had to touch it since. Used a sewn cotton wheel in a 3/8" drill motor. It's a little messy, but worked great for us. We also use it on the stainless jackets on a couple of Wagner Hudsons to remove oil and water stains about once a year.

You can either polish or buff brass. Both take off a bit of the surface. I used all kinds of stuff on trumpets. The best best is a buffing wheel with some rouge buffing compound. It is rather quick. It does a good job.

Joe

If you intend to buff the brass, make sure all clear coating is removed. Operating companies often applied varnish to polished brass to make it remain shiny longer.

You can buff through varnish, but it takes forever. A soak in acetone or lacquer thinner usually will soften the varnish so it can be removed by wiping with a rag.

Thanks for all your ideas on and off forum. I'll let you know what we do.