Tarnished

[Robert]

So 2 weeks ago, I made this bullet pen, and although the brass case wasn't perfect, it was reasonably polished and shiny.

Been away for a couple of weeks, so it has just sat on the table, doing nowt, and I've come back to find it's looking rather tarnished (see below).

Anyone else experienced this? Any ideas?

 

[Buckeye]

Microcrystalline wax.

Peter

 

[wm460]

Happens to all brass shells but looks like lot quicker over your way than here.
I found Microcrystalline wax works as long as you don't handle it too much.
If I carry one in my pocket I polish it with brass every so often, just so it is nice and shiny when you show someone..

 

[Grump]

Any metal will tarnish after polishing unless it's sealed and even then it will tarnish under the seal but takes longer to do it.
Repolish it, simples init?

 

[stevenw1963]

spray lacquer it

 

[Robert]

spray lacquer it

Never having spray lacquered anything in my life (other than my hair, many years ago when I still had some worth spraying), my next question is: What with?

 

[billyb_imp]

Most metals are going to tarnish with time, brass reasonably quickly, its the natural look

 

[stevenw1963]

Chesnut do a range of lacquers or go to Halfords or the like and get some car lacquer, Justas good.
Shine it up, spray it with a couple of thin coats, buff up & away you go

 

[chas_41_uk]

I've just checked my abortive attempt at a bullet pen which I started at the beginning of August. I used Autosol on the brass casing and I'm surprised but there is no tarnishing on it (yet)

 

[Penpal]

I call that going Army and like it was for me then I aint going to happen again recently went to a factory where the owner free coated a brass part with clear on brass for a future pen powder coated, reminds me of my Mum polishing Silver became quite a ritual.

Peter.

 

[Lons]

You could actually spray it with hair laquer (if the other half doesn't notice). I haven't tried it on my bullet pens but used it on outside brass house numbers for years and it lasts well. Gives a satin finish rather than gloss though.

 

[Grump]

I've just checked my abortive attempt at a bullet pen which I started at the beginning of August. I used Autosol on the brass casing and I'm surprised but there is no tarnishing on it (yet)

Autosol is the way to go with polishing metal as it has a protective finish to it and is a gentle shiner in itself.
A brilliant product tried and tested on on motorbike chrome by real bikers for years init?