The PHILCO Phorum

I am in a quandary as what to do with the brass strip on my 41-280 escutcheon.

I really like the look of the one Todd used Brasso on: http://philcoradio.com/phorum/showthread.php?tid=9181

My brass strip is really dingy. I have tried normal cleaners, used a tooth brush and look at length on the Gallery pictures that don't look too shiny. Mine still looks like something the dog drug in.

As kind of a last procrastinate before getting out the Brasso and maybe screwing up, are there any other suggestions to try?

Still working on the case veneer patches. They are too light after the first round of staining. Taking pictures and will get back to that thread when I finish.

A picture might help us determine what might need to be done. If it has deeply tarnished in places you might have to polish it brighter than you want to get it all cleaned up uniformly.

The good news is that it will slowly tarnish again, this time hopefully more uniformly. You could also spray a light shade of toner on it to dull it down a little. That would also seal it and prevent further tarnishing. Brasso, especially the newer stuff in the plastic containers, isn't all that harsh but you might want to practice on the back first.

This is a shot of the old escutcheon with he strip. The strip color looks better in the picture than it is



It was gently flattened out after removal. I tried various soap type cleaners and a tooth brush. GoJo also had little to no effect.

Amway metal cleaner is another possibility. It seems a little less aggressive than Brasso and contains no ammonia.

Hadn't thought about it, but as you pointed out brass tarnishes fairly quickly if not protected. So maybe worrying for naught.

At this point the strip is flat and looks about the same.

Anything special to redo the black in the lettering?

Yeah, I'd hit that with some Brasso or other metal polish. Like I said, if you need to take the shine down a little some toner will do the trick and is easily removed if you don't like it.

It looks like the black lettering is recessed, and if that is the case just use some black paint and wipe off the excess.

Like John said, the new Brasso isn't nearly as strong as the old stuff. You can use it sparingly and still retain a lot of the patina (if that's what you want)... or you can shine it up like new. Just don't apply it directly to the brass, or you will end up with a real shiny spot where the blob of brasso first lands. Don't ask me how i know this! ... Put it on a rag or piece of #0000 steel wool first.

Yep letters are recessed.

Glad to know about the change in Brasso. What is on hand is still old metal can.

I will try a bit of the Amway first as I have it and shoot a pix. Had great luck on chrome on old Honda and removing the blue rings left on front after cleaning SS revolver cylinder - high intensity cartridges same as top rifle pressures.

The old Brasso is definitely better before the EPA made them change the formula. I think the metal can is still available overseas, but I've since found some metal cleaners I like better than Brasso.... although I'm hanging into my metal can just-in-case

Flitz is one and the other is Satin Gloss Metal Polish that I buy at car shows. I tried Satin Gloss on a Motorola Bakelite cabinet and I was very impressed with the shine. I also use it on the exposed brass of the radiator in my old car and it works great there too.

Is the Satin Gloss Metal Polish like Semi Chrome? Heard a lot of good things about Flitz, need to lay in some.

EPA looks like I need to hit some yard sales.

Also need to try the Franklin Arsenal brass polish I add to the media in the vibrator polisher. Never even thought of it other than adding to media.

Used an OLD plastic jar of Amway Chrome & Glass cleaner. Dries up between uses and needs a tablespoon or 2 of water an hour or so before use





Started without the stick in the bottom channel and it was tough to rub and not bend. The stick just happened to be about the correct thickness. Lots of scraps left over from this & that.

The little cosmetic scrub pads gals use are great with the cleaner.

The letters did not need refilling after cleaning. Pleasant surprise

Got a little too zealous on the bottom edge under Bass & Volume and on top of Bass. Hope it tarnishes before long.

I think when the hold down tabs are bent again it will finish flattening it out.

I don't see tabs on the replacement escutcheon to melt down for the little steel back channel, but then I don't think I would melt them anyway.

You've got it looking good!

That turned out very nice!

Looks pretty good!