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Brass Finishing

  • 1.  Brass Finishing

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-22-2016 12:30

    I am posting the questions below to learn what others in our profession do for brass polishing and coating. In the past when it was time to do some bright work I would clean off the old lacquer and polish the brass on the buffing wheel. After the buffing I would clean with lacquer thinner then spray. As I do not have easy access to a spray booth I used aerosol spray.

    The spray I used most of the time was Staybrite but was never completely satisfied with the results. Some times it would peel off soon after application. I did a quick internet search to see what products are out there and it appears Staybrite is no longer available which is fine with me since I want to try another product. During my search I found a site that recommended using a vinegar and water solution to clean the brass after removing the old lacquer and buffing. It is possible I suppose that cleaning the parts with lacquer thinner was not good enough and could be the reason the Staybrite did not hold at times. Another problem I found with Staybrite is the I had a good shine on the brass after buffing but after the Staybrite application it dulled a bit.

    What is your method for cleaning and buffing brass?

    What spray aerosols do you use? Two of the products I am interested in are Mohawk:

    Lacquer for Brass Aerosol - Mohawk Finishing

    And Permalac:

    PERMALAC - Metal

    It appears that Permalac only comes in matte and satin.

    There are other aerosols available like Minwax, Krylon, etc. so I would be interested in hearing if anyone has been successful with those products.

    I have sent out parts for the bright work but many years ago UPS lost most of the return shipment and the company did not insure the contents. Since then I will not send out bright work that is irreplaceable.

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    [Don] [McKechnie,] [RPT]
    [Piano Technician]
    [dmckech@ithaca.edu]
    [Home 607.277.7112]
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  • 2.  RE: Brass Finishing

    Posted 01-22-2016 13:26

    After the brass is polished to either a satin or hi-gloss, give it two coats of wax. I prefer Rain Dance Paste Wax. The shine lasts and it is easier to repolish, no finish to remove. The only time I use lacquer on metal is player valve seats to protect the metal from the tannins in the leather.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page



  • 3.  RE: Brass Finishing

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-22-2016 14:15

    Hi Jon,

    How long does the polish last? I have no experience but I'm guessing it would be hard to convince customers to polish small, intricate brass parts every few years.

    Thanks,

    Don

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    [Don] [McKechnie,] [RPT]
    [Piano Technician]
    [dmckech@ithaca.edu]
    [Home 607.277.7112]



  • 4.  RE: Brass Finishing

    Posted 01-22-2016 14:19
    Convince them?
    Ron N




  • 5.  RE: Brass Finishing

    Posted 01-22-2016 20:25
    I have been applying Mohawk's Lacquer Brass Finish to brass hardware for over 25 years, and have had the luxury of seeing many of the 25 yr results of this application.  To my eyes, 25 years later it is unchanged to the naked eye.  No maintenance required, and it still looks great. 

    I cannot envision a scenario whereby the owner would 'replenish' the wax on all brass parts, nor can I see the owner paying a tech to do so.  I can't even see how it could physically be done, to be honest.  The lid hinges and screws?  The music desk hinges and screws?  The fallboard pivots?  The lid prop hinge and screws? Etc., etc.  How could one do this properly without either a) disassembly of parts; or b) getting the wax on the case parts, thereby visibly changing the sheen in those areas?

    IMO, when you have the hardware off, and cleaned and polished, applying the proper lacquer finish is the ultimate time-saving and long-lasting cosmetic approach.

    FWIW.

    Mark Potter
    West Jefferson, OH






  • 6.  RE: Brass Finishing

    Posted 01-22-2016 17:02

    Hi Don,

    I use "Nickolas 2105 spray lacquer clear" for band instruments and piano hardware. Buff brass to acceptable shine (color buff), degrease with lacquer thinner. Remember most buffing compounds use wax to bind the abrasive; the wax must be removed. Also avoid humidity. One wet coat should suffice. It is challenging to avoid too thick of a coat. 

    You can avoid buffing compounds I have successfully used 3M micro-mesh sheets. 3M also sells a great line of radial bristle brushes.

    -Garret 

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    Garret Traylor
    Trinity NC
    336-887-4266



  • 7.  RE: Brass Finishing

    Posted 01-22-2016 18:08

    Product Links:

    Scotch-Brite™ Radial Bristle Disc

    NIKOLAS 2105 SPRAY LACQUER - CLEAR

    Micro-Mesh Finishing Set 

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    Garret Traylor
    Trinity NC
    336-887-4266



  • 8.  RE: Brass Finishing

    Posted 01-23-2016 11:26

    Hi Don,

    The nice thing about this product is it can be used to feather finishes.  Rio Grand has some kits that help you limit your initial investment. Search Radial Bristle Disc

    http://www.riogrand.com

    I tend to use most often the Red - 220 and Blue - 400.

    -Garret 

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    Garret Traylor
    Trinity NC
    336-887-4266



  • 9.  RE: Brass Finishing

    Posted 01-23-2016 11:36

    Sorry bad link use:

    www.riogrande.com 

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    Garret Traylor
    Trinity NC
    336-887-4266



  • 10.  RE: Brass Finishing

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-23-2016 09:48

    Mark and Garret, thanks for the lacquer suggestions. I will experiment with both the Mohawk and the Nikolas.

    Garret, I have not tried the 3M radial brushes but will do so. There is a wide range of grits available so I'm wondering what grits you have used for cleaning and polishing prior to coating?

    Thanks,

    Don

    ------------------------------
    [Don] [McKechnie,] [RPT]
    [Piano Technician]
    [dmckech@ithaca.edu]
    [Home 607.277.7112]



  • 11.  RE: Brass Finishing

    Posted 01-24-2016 12:32

    Hi Don:

    One product I am satisfied with is Slayerlack Catalyzed Polyurethane.  You can encapsulate brass, barely noticeable, and then then the finish lasts quite awhile. (I did some hinges 5 years ago, and today they haven't changed a hint.)  The finishes are loaded with isocyanides, and you must have proper personal protection.  It also works as a wonderful sanding sealer as it's quite thick.  Choose a product Sayerlack :: Innovative Wood Solutions

    I believe as of today, this product is now owned by Sherwin Williams; it would be found at their "professional or pro products stores"

    Sayerlack remove preview
     
    Choose a product Sayerlack :: Innovative Wood Solutions
    Polyurethane coatings are produced using two components, a base component and a catalyst, which must be mixed at the time of use in predetermined ratios and need to dry so that a chemical reaction is produced between the components. Polyurethane basecoats and topcoats offer excellent elasticity, drying speed, bonding strength and resistance to light.
    View this on Sayerlack >



     

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    Jason Davies Associate Member
    TechRx Inc
    Green Bay, WI
    920.884.1195 http://techrxgb.com
    http://pianotunergreenbay.com