Lacquer for brass

[Darrmann39]

I've had a few discussions about lacqureing brass. I've never had good luck. I've painted cars but brass is very tricky. So I didn't do it. I saw a guy post I believe on fb about Mohawk brass clear. I got some and I'm sold. The plates I wet sanded with 1500 grit and then 0000 steel wool and cleared. Wet sanded again and one final clear and they are pretty nice. Here's the base all done. And plates.
The orange peel is the worst and this was the best I've used

 

[Darrmann39]

I've had a few discussions about lacqureing brass. I've never had good luck. I've painted cars but brass is very tricky. So I didn't do it. I saw a guy post I believe on fb about Mohawk brass clear. I got some and I'm sold. The plates I wet sanded with 1500 grit and then 0000 steel wool and cleared. Wet sanded again and one final clear and they are pretty nice. Here's the base all done. And plates.
The orange peel is the worst and this was the best I've used

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It's not cheap. But look around I got it for $18 a can

 

[Schatznut]

There have been a number of us that have recently discovered this product and we've all also had good luck with it. Sure beats spraying, stripping, spraying, stripping, swearing, spraying... with other lacquers.

 

[Dells]

I've had a few discussions about lacqureing brass. I've never had good luck. I've painted cars but brass is very tricky. So I didn't do it. I saw a guy post I believe on fb about Mohawk brass clear. I got some and I'm sold. The plates I wet sanded with 1500 grit and then 0000 steel wool and cleared. Wet sanded again and one final clear and they are pretty nice. Here's the base all done. And plates.
The orange peel is the worst and this was the best I've used

View attachment 727214 View attachment 727221 View attachment 727222

I think you will find it was me on FB singing it’s praises, I used it on a Schatz 1000 day , I have been a coachbuilder all my life so am used to painting and although I didn’t have problems with auto lacquer I was never totally happy with the finish, it didn’t flow out like this especially formulated for brass does, I only give it one coat and it flows out beautifully, I am sold on it, the only problem now is I have 25 + clocks to do.
Dell
Edit no need to wet&dry just polish degrease and lacquer.

 

[Schatznut]

It looks like you're using the lustre finish (M102-0450). I've been using the brilliant finish (M103-0500) and it is extremely high gloss...

 

[Darrmann39]

It looks like you're using the lustre finish (M102-0450). I've been using the brilliant finish (M103-0500) and it is extremely high gloss...

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Thanks

 

[Darrmann39]

It looks like you're using the lustre finish (M102-0450). I've been using the brilliant finish (M103-0500) and it is extremely high gloss...

View attachment 727519

Damn. Now I have to redo it. Have it on the way.
How do you put it on. One heavy coat? Less with more coats?

 

[Dells]

I just use a light dust coat then a wetter coat immediately on top done, it flows out beautifully.
Dell

 

[Schatznut]

Ditto what Dell said above. A dusting just to wet the surface slightly, then a light coat over that immediately. I didn't even have to polish it afterwards.

 

[Dells]

Ditto what Dell said above. A dusting just to wet the surface slightly, then a light coat over that immediately. I didn't even have to polish it afterwards.

Flow’s out beautifully doesn’t it and it doesn’t even look lacquered.

 

[Schatznut]

Flow’s out beautifully doesn’t it and it doesn’t even look lacquered.

Yes, definitely. It's the "doesn't even look lacquered" look I've been trying to achieve for so long.

 

[Schatznut]

Darrmann, before you strip the finish you've got, why don't you try just putting a coat of the gloss lacquer over the matte finish you've already put down? Worth a try?

 

[Darrmann39]

Darrmann, before you strip the finish you've got, why don't you try just putting a coat of the gloss lacquer over the matte finish you've already put down? Worth a try?

I will

 

[GRZESIEK]

It paint brass with colorless varnish used for cars. After adding the hardener to the varnish, it adds 100% solvent
The clock in the middle and on the right is painted a few months ago.
Regaeds

 

[Darrmann39]

It paint brass with colorless varnish used for cars. After adding the hardener to the varnish, it adds 100% solvent
The clock in the middle and on the right is painted a few months ago.
Regaeds

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I've never heard of varnish on cars and I've been painting all my life. Can you clarify what it is your talking about.

 

[GRZESIEK]

Do you paint cars? Do you use colorless varnish?

 

[KurtinSA]

With all the car restoration shows I watch, they always talk about layers of "clear" which is what they put on over the color. Lots of hand buffing and color sanding going on. Always amazes me.

Kurt

 

[Ken M]

It paint brass with colorless varnish used for cars. After adding the hardener to the varnish, it adds 100% solvent
The clock in the middle and on the right is painted a few months ago.
Regaeds

View attachment 728233

Interesting clocks you have there!

 

[Darrmann39]

Interesting clocks you have there!

Hmm weird question but my family business was a collision shop. Painted many cars. My trade was custom finish carpenter where I've heard lots about varnish now I repair and restore clocks. But can you just show me the product ?

 

[GRZESIEK]

Hmm weird question but my family business was a collision shop. Painted many cars. My trade was custom finish carpenter where I've heard lots about varnish now I repair and restore clocks. But can you just show me the product ?

Clears De Beer, Glasurit, Sikkens and many other companies- search on Googl You paint cars and you don't know what you need to use for painting. How do you paint metallic colors- base and clear (colorless varnish)

 

[KurtinSA]

This seems to be the product that he showed a picture of:

DeBeer Refinish (de-beer.com)

Kurt

 

[Darrmann39]

Clears De Beer, Glasurit, Sikkens and many other companies- search on Googl You paint cars and you don't know what you need to use for painting. How do you paint metallic colors- base and clear (colorless varnish)

How many cars have you painted in your life

 

[Darrmann39]

Clears De Beer, Glasurit, Sikkens and many other companies- search on Googl You paint cars and you don't know what you need to use for painting. How do you paint metallic colors- base and clear (colorless varnish)

What country do you live in? Maybe that's the problem.

 

[Dells]

What country do you live in? Maybe that's the problem.

I think he means clear lacquer but if he is using 2K as I think he is because he is adding hardener , not ideal for home use because it’s isocyanate and will definitely need paint stripper to remove next time.
He definitely has some nice clock though.

 

[GRZESIEK]

I think he means clear lacquer but if he is using 2K as I think he is because he is adding hardener , not ideal for home use because it’s isocyanate and will definitely need paint stripper to remove next time.
He definitely has some nice clock though.

Of course you are right, you can't do it at home.
It is a professional product, applied using spray gun.
I only wrote how I do it, maybe someone has such a possibility too.

 

[marylander]

This is what I use for all my 400-day clocks. You can purchase it from Walmart. I polished and lacquered 90% of my brass clocks. They do not require polish job again.
Ming

 

[Schatznut]

This is what I use for all my 400-day clocks. You can purchase it from Walmart. I polished and lacquered 90% of my brass clocks. They do not require polish job again.
Ming

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Does it flow out well for you? This is what I was using with unsatisfactory results before I discovered the Mohawk brass lacquer. I couldn't tell if it was the material or my technique that was leading to a poor outcome. I *assumed* it was the Rustoleum lacquer that was the problem and *thought* my technique was OK, and *thought* I'd validated it when I got spectacular results with the Mohawk product on the first try.

 

[marylander]

Does it flow out well for you? This is what I was using with unsatisfactory results before I discovered the Mohawk brass lacquer. I couldn't tell if it was the material or my technique that was leading to a poor outcome. I *assumed* it was the Rustoleum lacquer that was the problem and *thought* my technique was OK, and *thought* I'd validated it when I got spectacular results with the Mohawk product on the first try.

It worked for me. There were no flowing problem. I guess that practice is the key to get good result. I can see the improvement of my work. Maybe, we do not have same perception of satisfactory result. If Mohawk woks for you, keep using it. I have never tried any other lacquers since Rustorleum lacquer work well for me. When humidity is low, I spread the parts. When humidity is high, I used hair blower to warm the parts before spread. I did not do every time successfully, sometimes, I have to use lacquer thinner to wipe off what I just did to redo.
Ming

 

[Darrmann39]

I broke out my new polishing machine and I love it. I'm not sure how you get a better polish then this

 

[Ken M]

What did you get?

 

[Darrmann39]

What did you get?

Just a multi use polishing machine. Has some cool attachments for drilling and hand polishing attachments. But tripoli and then white polish and wow

 

[Darrmann39]

I'm torn now between leaving this mirror finish and using my new ultra gloss Mohawk.

 

[Ken M]

I have one of those, I try not to use it. That Jewelers Rouge, the white and black stuff gets everywhere. It does wonders for brass, but after my first week with it using it all the time, everything in my shop was red. My cat had red paws, couldn't figure it out. Then I saw my floor and everything else was red.

 

[Darrmann39]

I have one of those, I try not to use it. That Jewelers Rouge, the white and black stuff gets everywhere. It does wonders for brass, but after my first week with it using it all the time, everything in my shop was red. My cat had red paws, couldn't figure it out. Then I saw my floor and everything else was red.

Best finish I've ever had. So I'd say whatever it takes

 

[Darrmann39]

If you have never heard of Renaissance wax here's what a good polish with polishing wheel and then wax with Renaissance.

 

[Ken M]

Been using it for a long time. Doesn't last long, that's why we keep trying lacquer.

 

[Darrmann39]

Been using it for a long time. Doesn't last long, that's why we keep trying lacquer.

 

[Schatznut]

Echoing what Ken says. I've been trying to get the perfect "it doesn't look like it's lacquered" lacquer finish on the parts that face the elements - bases and cases. For the parts that are always enclosed, I use Renaissance wax and it works great. For polishing, I use a soft cotton muslin wheel on my bench grinder, and plain old car polish. Requires a bit of patience but gives a beautiful shine. Now with a coat of clear lacquer on it, I can sleep better at night.

 

[Dells]

Echo what Schatznut said with that shine then Mohawk lacquer you won’t notice much difference.

 

[MartinM]

I'll have to try the Mohawk.
But, it'll be hard to beat Nikolas 2105.

Conventional Solvent - G. J. Nikolas & Company, Inc.

Conventional solvent based lacquers, using the finest raw materials and the industry's most stringent quality control testing program.

gjnikolas.com

 

[Ken M]

I have Mohawk and Nikolas Gold tint. I much prefer Nikolas. I'll need to get some clear, but the gold is really nice.

 

[Dells]

I have Mohawk and Nikolas Gold tint. I much prefer Nikolas. I'll need to get some clear, but the gold is really nice.

That’s okay if you live in USA but in uk we can only get Mohawk and I am that happy with it I am expecting 4 more to be delivered tomorrow.

 

[MartinM]

I have Mohawk and Nikolas Gold tint. I much prefer Nikolas. I'll need to get some clear, but the gold is really nice.

The gold tint is great for those times when the maker originally used such a lacquer, such as Schatz' Mariner front bezels or when you need to correct for originally brass plated parts having lost their plating.