Brass Non-Tarnish Applications

[ghopper1924]

Hey All:

Perhaps this should have gone into the Project Forum, but I figure it will get a lot more viewings in here

Anyway, what is the best finish for brass candlesticks if you're trying to eliminate tarnish and the polishing that goes with it?  I've seen multiple recommendations, from hair spray to lacquer to polyurethane. It looks like, in most cases, that these applications need to come off eventually, although it can take years.

I don't want to do anything that will cause damage down the road. I know there will be many opinions on this.

What do you recommend?

[mart]

Hey Ghopper !!  Good to see you back !!  That depends on if the candlesticks are new, old or somewhere in the middle !!  Do not use hair spray,, that stuff will only collect dust !!  OK for hair but not for candlesticks !!  If vintage or older once cleaned with a good quality polish ( I use Wrights Silver polish on everything) I just wipe with the same cloth I dust with occasionally that has Scotts Liquid Gold on it !!  If you will read on the can of Liquid Gold it is also for metals !! That seems to work well for this shelf full of brass I have here with little trouble,, other that the regular dusting that has to be done anyway !!  New candlesticks can be recoated with a light spray of clear lacquer if you wish !!

[ghopper1924]

Hey Mart!

Thanks, I never knew that about Liquid Gold.

These are old candlesticks. They've been polished with Simichrome (German stuff, the best I've found, but the elbow grease is excruciating!). I'd like to minimize the polishing, but if coating the candlesticks with anything will cause further problems then I'll cease and desist.

What about lacquer for old brass?

[cogar]

Lacquer is good ..... because it is easily removed with lacquer "thinner".

Use a "spray can" of lacquer ..... and "easy-does-it" so no get any "runs" or "drips". (2 or 3 light coats better than 1 heavy coat) It dries really quick.

[ghopper1924]

Vielen dank!

[fancypants]

You can also try a couple of coats of "Rain-X" , a silicone treatment used on windshields/screens/visors .
Auto parts stores , or maybe even @ walmart .

[ghopper1924]

I never would have thought of that.....

[mart]

Pretty much anything that will create a barrier to prevent oxidation will work as long as it is easily removed !!  Only thing I dislike about the lacquer for old brass is that it makes them look like new coated candlesticks !!  They look slick !!