Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Painting, Finishing and Care. => Topic started by: Colin Bishop on April 21, 2011, 06:24:29 pm

Title: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
Post by: Colin Bishop on April 21, 2011, 06:24:29 pm: I recently ran my Deans Medea steam yacht at Portsmouth Canoe lake which is salt water. I fitted brass portholes to the model and the saltwater has reacted with them to leave a white crust of corrosion. Has anyone got any tips for removing this without messing up the adjacent paintwork?

All suggestions gratefully received.

Colin
Title: Re: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
Post by: pugwash on April 21, 2011, 07:33:49 pm: Colin we obviously used brasso on board which is a non-starter on your model but if you find a a way to clean it off
we then used a very light smear of clear vasoline -virtually invisible but effective

Geoff
Title: Re: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
Post by: Colin Bishop on April 21, 2011, 07:37:27 pm: Well, one solution seems to be to get a miniature polishing kit I can use in the 12v drill. Vaseline is certainly a good tip though, thanks.

Colin
Title: Re: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
Post by: derekwarner on April 21, 2011, 10:51:10 pm: Colin - in OZ we have a polish product called Metal Magic by Rubbedin.........

I can apply to brass bands or flanges next to VHT black paint work & subsequent polishing does not remove any paint......there is ZERO dark colouring on the cloth......Derek
Title: Re: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
Post by: Circlip on April 22, 2011, 09:52:00 am: Even a waft of saltwater laden air seems to promote corrosion. Hopefully just cleaning and protecting the surface will solve the problem but the white deposits could either be Zinc or Copper Sulphate being leeched from the base material. With a bit of luck, the corrosion will not be in unseen areas.

Regards Ian.
Title: Re: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
Post by: Geoff Cropper on May 10, 2011, 09:02:39 am: Polish it bright with a buffing disc then coat it with clear yacht varnish. Cheers now, Geoff.
Title: Re: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
Post by: Colin Bishop on May 10, 2011, 10:26:16 am: I tried the buffing but without much success, think I left it too long!

In the end I buffed as much as possible then repainted the portholes with Humbrol Authentic Brass which I've had for over 20 years - knew it would come in useful some day.

The end result doesn't look too bad if you don't look too closely.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Colin
Title: Re: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
Post by: Martin (Admin) on May 10, 2011, 05:58:02 pm: "Humbrol Authentic Brass which I've had for over 20 years"

Doesn't that make it "Humbrol Antique Brass" ?!?!
Title: Re: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
Post by: essex2visuvesi on May 10, 2011, 06:02:18 pm: Quote from: Martin - admin. on May 10, 2011, 05:58:02 pm
"Humbrol Authentic Brass which I've had for over 20 years"

Doesn't that make it "Humbrol Antique Brass" ?!?!

You need to put it on Ebay with L@@K and Rare in the title..... you'll be rich I tell you! RICH
Title: Re: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
Post by: Colin Bishop on May 10, 2011, 06:20:34 pm: How Rich? {-)