I bought a fire extinguisher on ebay some time ago, partly for ornamental reasons and partly because I cant afford to restore a car and this was very cheap. Plus it may look good next to the oval on display when I finally do get to restore it.

So mine on the left, and what I want it to be on the right. The brass is polishing up OK through lots of elbow grease and brasso, but the copper isnt doing anything.

Has anyone ever polished copper before? Whats the bestest easiest way. Pretty sure this is going to be a tough job in any case.

the easiest way i found for really bad brass is a green scourer with brasso then the cardboard out of a box with brasso

the brasso should cut the copper

the brass plate has come up bloody beautiful. The copper may take a while. I've hit it with 1200 wet and dry to get most of it off. Do you recon car polish would do the same job as brasso? I've just about run out and I have 100 tins of car polish (if you like cars it seems every rello thinks a kitten car care pack is a brilliant gift). Obviously they have never taken any notice to the condition I keep my cars in.

I think you'd need a cut and polish rather than a straight polish.

Scotchbrite and jiff = shiny

crocus paper and water+ elbow grease = shinier

easy way send to metal polisher and pay $80 and tell everyone that you did it!

The look on there faces priceless

Got one of these myself, gave up about 2 years ago, I think there is some sort of protective coating on the copper part, let me know if you find out how to get the damned stuff off.

You could try 0000 steel wool and Brasso. Trial on a small inconspicuous section first.

Maguires and Mothers have a great name in being a rodders choice of product. Having said that Superfine steel wool followed by "Mirror Finish" from Mirror Finish at Meadowbank (Liverpool) area) works a treat on alloy,chrome,silver and stainless steel. Certainly is THE easiest polish to work with. There is no hard work involved in using this product. As an example i homebuilt an ornate circular copper mailbox 330 l x 220 D mounted on a s/s auger post which in turn was welded to a modified 60litre s/s keg. Prior to mounting, i scoured it vigorously with the steel wool and slow machine buffed ( my choice) the Mirror Finish. That was at least twelve months ago and its still just as shiny now as then. In a lot of cases a clear coat is applied to fire extinguishers. When you start scuffing back with either steel wool or sand paper it will look rather ratty ( which works for some people/items) But once past that point you`re on the way to having a really remarkable focal/talking point. cheers

you could also use 1500 wet n dry then go to 2000 wet n dry B4 u hit it with the car cut n polish

Of couse the flatter the surface the shinner it will be just takes heaps of time


Do it on the lounge room floor while yr watching BIG BROTHER

acid dip!

lol

actually no kidding... my ol' work mate used to be a manager for a plumbing supply & manufacture company in beenleigh.

All there copper piping and taps etc after being welded and processed were acid dipped and came up very shiny and glossy, and was the reason why his sold alot better than the others (physical appeal). I'm talking dam shiny bright copper finish! Like the type of hot shiny looking tap wear that u wouldn't use but just picture frame on the wall.

Beautiful finish.

definitely some form of coating on it, but its really thin. When I look underneath it looks as though it is painted red. I've gone overtime on the brass because it was easy. Made up a buffing wheel out of old pj's sandwiched between some washers and stuck that in a drill. Looks awesome even though between the lettering is still black. I think I might try cut n polish with a toothbrush on it.

If you have honestly agree though, its a very sexy fire extinguisher.

I like the look of the old one more..............

too late now! I tried cutting compound on toothbrush for the brass plate... was working but took too long. Ended up using it with the buffing wheel and it took almost all of it off, but not as sexy and shiny now. So will have to get to work polishing it up again with something less abrasive. It does work a treat on the copper on the sides though. Doing around the rivets is a massive PITA. And something is definitely painted on the top. Its grey and thick. Takes ages to wear through it with the 1200 paper, other methods do nothing to it.

I'd like to try the scourer trick but we only have one in the kitchen and its a brand new one. I think its off limits for a while. then again, I could always blame the kid.

Oh yeah, and I have lovely green stained fingernails. On the bright side, I dont think I'll be getting arthritis in my fingers if there is any truth to those copper bracelets that used to be all the rage!

Quote:

Originally posted by bajachris88 acid dip! lol actually no kidding... my ol' work mate used to be a manager for a plumbing supply & manufacture company in beenleigh. All there copper piping and taps etc after being welded and processed were acid dipped and came up very shiny and glossy, and was the reason why his sold alot better than the others (physical appeal). I'm talking dam shiny bright copper finish! Like the type of hot shiny looking tap wear that u wouldn't use but just picture frame on the wall. Beautiful finish.