The
Antique Horse CompanyThe
Antique Horse Company
| Many collectors maintain the
shine on their brasses by regular polishing. Although this does show
them off to the greatest advantage, it can be harmful if continued over
a period of years, for every rub of the cloth slowly but surely erodes
the original surface. Fine hand finished and engraved brasses are both
rare and expensive, and the collector must decide for himself whether he
wishes to enjoy them in a continued highly polished form, or whether he
will preserve them for future generations. You may coat them with a light
lacquer spray , if you want the highly polished
look. To illustrate the problem, an example might be taken from the collection in England, at the Castle Museum, in York. There the brass bonnet of a 1909 cart was carefully polished at least once a week for a period of ten years. As a result, the original lettering has been virtually obliterated. In contrast, another collection in England, at the Birmingham City Museum Department of Archaeology, which houses part of H.S. Richards collection of over 300 brasses, was lightly lacquered before 1930, is still in pristine condition. Most of the collectors of truly old brasses do not polish or lacquer their brasses. Many think that the tarnished look is beautiful and only adds to the character of an old brass. If you still must have a high shine polished look, you may consider lightly lacquering them. You may purchase a clear lacquer spray can at any lumber store. When lacquering brasses, they should first be polished with a non- abrasive paste or cream. The brass should then be washed in warm water, a small soft brush can be used to remove the paste or cream from the finer details. Dry them and fully de-grease them with a cotton swab and acetone. The brass should be placed flat on a piece of newspaper. Running the swab with acetone over the complete surface of the brass. Great care should be taken not to handle the brass and get any finger prints on them. Having made certain the area is dust -free, a clear lacquer spray should be applied. The slightly mellowing or yellowing thus produced is a small price to pay for the prolonged life of the brass. I prefer not to lacquer or polish my brasses. I recommend doing the same. As over-polished or over- lacquered brasses will highly reduce there value.
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