Brass cleaner

Bar Keepers Friend. @SessionDrummer, their brass polish powder works great on cymbals, years supply for less than any brand meant for cymbals.

@jinx_d their Cookware powder looks like a winner!

6 Likes

@Plunderdrum I’ve used BKF for years, BUT, have never worked up the courage to use it on my brass hoard. Metal is metal, Patina is patina, so I don’t know what’s held me back.

3 Likes

The following was US military approved 50 odd years ago. Did a great job because it’s wadding infused with cleaner which enables you to control the area needed to be polished.
re: https://www.amazon.com/Brasso-Duraglit-Metal-Polish-Wadding/dp/B004G8YNIM

3 Likes

I’ve only ever used Mothers mag polish. I got a little tub of it from Wal-Mart for 6 bucks or so. Shit works good.

4 Likes

Sunshine cloths are the most amazing thing ever if you want to pokish metal and give it a mirror shine. Truly phenomenal. Don’t throw them away just because they turn black, they’re still effective. Never used anything that works as well as them, as a final step after cleaning.

2 Likes
2 Likes

Thanx for the polishing advice :slightly_smiling_face: . but what i was looking to do is clean the contacts. and i am sure all of you know = do not leave any type polisher/conditioner on the contacts.

i ended up running into my neighbor and i bummed some vinegar. the mech is working fine now. having a few beers and blow’n a few clouds last night :sunglasses:

just a tip. if you have a metal mod, polishing it in a drill or on a buffer = if it has any kind of engravings on it, you are damaging it. what this does is round off the edges of the engraving, and after a few/many of these polishing’s will make the mod less attractive. even those waddings and polishes just in hand, if done aggressively will result in the same .

3 Likes

Another thing to keep in mind, if you are using power to buff/clean/polish, is you need to keep an EYE on the HEAT. Slower, and cooler is better. Heat can wreck/ruin/change the metal.

3 Likes

with a 8" wheel.

4 Likes

good ol’ brasso

4 Likes

On the topic of polishing - gp released something they called the PnB (polish and brush). It was two attachments made to fit in a drill / dremmel- absolutely brilliant. If you ever see them up for sale grab them. So handy for those with limited space or need to polish / brush atomisers evenly. one side has a 510 female - one side a 510 male. On the opposing ends it fits into a drill. So you can use various grits and cloths in the palm of your hand/ other ways while they spin at whatever designated speed.

To the contact polishing - After using the sunshine on anything related to contacts I clean with a micro fiber, then I soak the parts in either alcohol, vinegar, or soapy water, then I dry with a micro fiber.

The above posted acid wash is really interesting.

3 Likes

What’s “GP” ?

2 Likes

Sorry vapourart (who made the gp series) - a Greek company who made higher end vape gear. Now out of business unfortunately.

3 Likes

Jumping in late here, but get yourself a jewelers cloth off of Amazon. Used for rings and such and works wonders on my brass mechs, probably the most non-abrasive method you can use.

3 Likes

Ah okay. I think I saw something like you’re describing on YouTube.

2 Likes

Here it is in actual use

I’d be shocked if someone else hasn’t come out with something like this. It’s perfect for refinishing at home with almost no gear.

4 Likes

There have been a few out. they work pretty well.

https://vapordna.com/products/vandy-vape-polishing-rig

EDIT: FYI these types will not fit into rotary tool chucks. The posts are wider.

3 Likes

That’s excellent. I’m glad to see really affordable options available.

I need to figure out how to brush my whole hbo. Probably screwing a random 510 into the button area, but that leaves me out of a unified button too. That’s the only bummer, since it was brushed as one piece. The piccoloid has a polished button and looks nice so I’ll probably end up doing that.

I’d also love to find a Way of doing non round things like the custom classic. Probably something with limping up the sandpaper or something. I just haven’t worked it out yet, so I polish with the sunshine and then brush with a grey pad.

3 Likes

Not sure what the hbo is. Do you have a pic? Curious to see what you mean.

3 Likes

Sorry it was an autocorrection for hnp.

It’s a matched mod and tank, brushed all at once creating an almost perfectly seamless look. With these kits the best I can do is brush everything but the switch.

If I remove the button the bottom screw would work if I custom made something probably, but unfortunately it’s bigger than a 510

Here’s what it looks like, in real life the joins are far less noticeable, I think whomever photographed this cranked up the contrast. But anyway it’s all one brush.

I’m also really curious about “fixing” a brass mod I have, no matter how I polish it there’s a slight variance that was created by the previous owner. I’ll upload a pic in a few mins.

4 Likes