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Author Topic: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass  (Read 2534 times)

Colin Bishop

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Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
« 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
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pugwash

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Re: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
« Reply #1 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
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
« Reply #2 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
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derekwarner

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Re: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
« Reply #3 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
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Derek Warner

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Circlip

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Re: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
« Reply #4 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.
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Geoff Cropper

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Re: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
« Reply #5 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.
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
« Reply #6 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
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Martin (Admin)

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Re: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
« Reply #7 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" ?!?!
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essex2visuvesi

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Re: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2011, 06:02:18 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
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Removing saltwatercorrosion from brass
« Reply #9 on: May 10, 2011, 06:20:34 pm »

How Rich?  {-)

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