Removing laquer from clock brass

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Removing laquer from clock brass

This topic has 12 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 17 March 2014 at 17:50 by Clive Hartland.

Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)

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13 March 2014 at 16:04 #146942
David Lawrence 2
Participant
@davidlawrence2
Hi all, I am restoring a Bulle electric clock and most of the brasswork has been laquered in the past but is in a poor state. Any ideas of how to remove the laquer so i can polish the brass again. i have tried chemical paint stripper but it did do that much. regards David
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13 March 2014 at 16:04 #3691
David Lawrence 2
Participant
@davidlawrence2
13 March 2014 at 18:55 #146986
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
It may be shellac based, in which case try meths.

Neil
13 March 2014 at 19:13 #146991
blowlamp
Participant
@blowlamp
Acetone also works quite well.

Martin.
13 March 2014 at 19:41 #146993
NJH
Participant
@njh
Hi David

THIS should do it. They also sell the lacquer so that you can re-do it when you've finished. What's more you can spend a happy hour or two browsing through all the other clock related goodies!

Norman
17 March 2014 at 13:10 #147269
David Lawrence 2
Participant
@davidlawrence2
Update on removing laquer.

Thanks for all the ideas, tried Acetone and Meths, no joy. bought some clock laquer remover from M & P.

No Joy still trying

David
17 March 2014 at 13:27 #147273
WALLACE
Participant
@wallace
I’ve found cellulose thinners and an old toothbrush good for removing the resin from home made circuit boards. The resin is quite tough, meths won’t touch it but the thinners willl – it even softens the tooth brush plastic !

W.
17 March 2014 at 13:37 #147276
Rik Shaw
Participant
@rikshaw
Not sure if it will work but you could try some isopropyl alcohol from your local pharmacy or some nail varnish remover.

Rik
17 March 2014 at 14:05 #147278
Trevorh
Participant
@trevorh
If you know anyone in the printing industry try Ethyl Acetate or MEK they tend to shift all know laquers and coatings

need to where gloves tho' as they are serious degreasing agents and very flammable
17 March 2014 at 15:57 #147280
roy entwistle
Participant
@royentwistle24699
David I think a lot depends on what laquer has been used Some is applied hot I have used Hammerite Brush Cleaner

Roy
17 March 2014 at 17:35 #147284
jason udall
Participant
@jasonudall57142
With meek
..your gloves need to wear gloves…
17 March 2014 at 17:47 #147285
Fred Nightingale 1
Participant
@frednightingale1
Hi

Try a mixture of household ammonia in hot water with a touch of washing up liquid.

Fred

PS do it in the open air
17 March 2014 at 17:50 #147286
Clive Hartland
Participant
@clivehartland94829
I think now David you are into physical removal, going down the grades of wet and dry to bare metal and getting a nice grained finish to re-laquer.

In the old days I used to use Frigiline, put on with a camel hair brush and no over brushing. Put it on and stand back.

It is possible the plates you have may have been laquered with what was called, 'Dragons Blood' which hardens with age and is difficult to remove.

Good luck with it!

Clive
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