The PHILCO Phorum

Working on restoring my father-in-law's Model 71 cathedral. It didn't have the knobs or escutcheon when we brought it home, but my mother-in-law managed to find them. Just got them in the mail today.

The escutcheon is in good shape, but it's pretty badly discolored. I *think* it's brass. What's the best thing to use to clean it? Brasso?

Here's what I'm dealing with:

That's more or less what it is supposed to look like. Clean it off, but don't polish it. It wasn't shiny to begin with.

Soap and water. NO BRASSO.

WD-40 works well and will not remove the "bronze" effect on it.

Cool! Thanks a lot!

This looks good teh way it is. if there is any light patina, it only makes it nicer.
Just dirt removal, nothing else. Dishwashing soap.

OK, one more question!!

See that white stuff in the center of the escutcheon?



No idea what it is, but it's not coming off with gentle scrubbing with a toothbrush & soap and water. Might be paint, but I'm not sure. How do I clean it without scratching the metal?

Kleen strip will remove the paint without removing the tarnish. I personally like to shine them a little if I am refinishing the cabinet as to look like it was just made and not having been alive in the early thirties I dont know what it would have looked like when new but I'm sure philco didnt purposely tarnish new brass.

The "bronze" coloration is correct.

Either that or any solvent that removes paint, like aceton/lacquer thinner: those will not harm the bronze.
And as always written in instruction - try in an inconspicuous place first.