I have some solid Brass pieces to a 1950 Raytheon TV that I am trying to clean and polish:


I've soaked the pieces in lacquer thinner overnight and rubbed with fine steel wool but still cannot get the pieces cleaned of the old finish. I got the larger door piece pretty clean but the round pieces I'm having trouble with.

Any ideas?

Carl

Assuming they are solid brass, you will have no problem ripping them out with a buffer and some hard polish.

They are solid brass. I scratched the back and its brass color in the scratch. And, a magnet will not stick to it.

Got one stubborn piece where the protective finish just will not come off.
Tried steel wool and polishing - wonder if it is lacquer.
Soaking it in lacquer thinner hoping it will soften it up.

Carl

Paint remover?

Have you tried Brasso?

After soaking overnight in fresh Lacquer Thinner I was able to clean it off with fine steel wool.

I'm a novice doing Brass restoration.

One other issue I found is that after cleaning and polishing I used spray can clear lacquer to protect the brass. The lacquer did not cover perfectly smooth - sort of a crinkly effect. Not unappealing but not what I was wanting. Any hints, tips regarding spraying lacquer?

Carl

You need better conditions and more skill to lacquer brass and other metals. Lacquering wood is child's play in comparison. It should be 75-80 degrees, less than 30% humidity and NOT windy or breezy. The metal should be heated and washed with a solvent. Cover very lightly and wait a long time in-between coats. Metal can't absorb lacquer so it will be much more 'touchy' than normal.

I think I had everything wrong.
The Temp was 70 degrees and it was after a rain - but I was inside my garage with door up.

Did not heat the metal either.

Next time I'll use your tips.

Thanks

Carl

I've had good luck coating metals with acrylic. Again, light coats and let dry completely. Even if it says fast drying, acrylic can take a few weeks to cure fully.