| [ Total Views: 617 | Total Replies: 15 | Thread Id: 69023 ] |
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 amazeer
A.k.a.: Surly Duff
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| posted on May 8th, 2008 at 05:53 PM |
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polishing copper
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.
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 barls
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| posted on May 8th, 2008 at 06:14 PM |
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the easiest way i found for really bad brass is a green scourer with brasso then the cardboard out of a box with brasso
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vw54
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| posted on May 8th, 2008 at 06:20 PM |
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the brasso should cut the copper
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amazeer
A.k.a.: Surly Duff
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| posted on May 8th, 2008 at 07:27 PM |
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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.
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ancientbugger
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| posted on May 8th, 2008 at 07:34 PM |
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I think you'd need a cut and polish rather than a straight polish.
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glider69
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| posted on May 8th, 2008 at 08:43 PM |
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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
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donn
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| posted on May 8th, 2008 at 08:48 PM |
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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.
I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!
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5PL1TDCS10N
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| posted on May 8th, 2008 at 09:01 PM |
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You could try 0000 steel wool and Brasso. Trial on a small inconspicuous section first.
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thugbug
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| posted on May 8th, 2008 at 10:41 PM |
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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
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vw54
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| posted on May 9th, 2008 at 07:00 AM |
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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 
   
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bajachris88
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| posted on May 9th, 2008 at 08:44 AM |
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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.
(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears. 
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta! |
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amazeer
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| posted on May 9th, 2008 at 08:56 AM |
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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.
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bajachris88
A.k.a.: Chris Leete
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| posted on May 9th, 2008 at 09:00 AM |
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If you have honestly agree though, its a very sexy fire extinguisher.
(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears.
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta! |
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Jay_1965vw
A.k.a.: Jay
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| posted on May 10th, 2008 at 04:49 PM |
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I like the look of the old one more..............
Part of Melbourne's Unreal Aircooled VW Community
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amazeer
A.k.a.: Surly Duff
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| posted on May 10th, 2008 at 06:59 PM |
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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!
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pod
A.k.a.: paul mrvw061
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| posted on May 10th, 2008 at 07:28 PM |
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| 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.
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You beat me to it Chris ,we acid dip copper tips used in electrical contactors at work, most electroplaters should be able to do it
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