Removing laquer from clock brass

[David Lawrence 2Participant @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

[David Lawrence 2Participant @davidlawrence2]

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

It may be shellac based, in which case try meths.

Neil

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Acetone also works quite well.

Martin.

[NJHParticipant @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

[David Lawrence 2Participant @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

[WALLACEParticipant @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.

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

Not sure if it will work but you could try some isopropyl alcohol from your local pharmacy or some nail varnish remover.

Rik

[TrevorhParticipant @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

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

David I think a lot depends on what laquer has been used Some is applied hot I have used Hammerite Brush Cleaner

Roy

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

With meek
..your gloves need to wear gloves…

[Fred Nightingale 1Participant @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

[Clive HartlandParticipant @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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