How would one go about cleaning a brass model that has been tarnished to prep it for paint? Ultrasonic cleaner? :question:Thanks!
Tarnish shouldn't affect the paint. Ultrasound won't remove it. Use a brass cleaner, available at grocery stores, if you want shiny brass to paint. Tarnish is a chemical reaction, and needs a chemical remover.
I am a musical instrument repair tech and I use Flitz for unlaquered horns. I used to buy it at gunshops before I got my parts supplier. It's a bit expensive but it goes a long way.
Believe it or not..... Steel brush on the dremel Tool on high speed cleans up the tarnish brass very well. If you look on the brass trains web sight this is what all of the HO guys have done for years. One warning.... Watch out for handrails they will get bent. I have bought a numder of heavily tarnished n scale engines and cleaned them up this way. Once the brass starts to shine move the brush you can start to ruff up the finish if you hold it in one place too long. Test what I am saying under the bottom of the engine or tender you will be surprised it works really well
Yes Flitz is excellant.Worked in a gun shop and used this many time. Also used it on a brass loco with light tarnish and it came out real bright. Rick
I use the bead blaster at work set at about 9-10 psi. when I get home I soak in laquer thinner , dry and paint. Dry the paint in the oven set to about 125 deg F. Randy
"Bright" or shiny isn't exactly a desirable quality when painting metal.I paint a lot of brass locos and cabooses,motorcycle and car parts,even RC stuff,you definitely want a clean,roughened surface on any metal,like lightly bead blasted,and cleaned in a good solvent like Randy Stahl suggested.Here's a brass HO LV hack I just did..Notice the glass in the wind deflectors!!!
