Tarnished Brass & Copper

[awins]

Dear All,
Ive nearly completed my model of Minnie and once built only intend to display it as a static model in ( if my dearest lets me !!) the living room.
Once all painted up how does one stop the nice Brass & copper from constant tarnishing? Any thoughts or ideas please.

[steam4ian]

G'day

I could say steam it often, polish before use and after use. That should do it!

regards,
Ian

[mackintosh]

Hello awins
Polish and use a spray varnish
Bob

[Prowe]

Hi All,
I inherited a 1” Minnie that my father built over 25 years ago, which has been glass cased (Perspex actually) all this time. This case must be reasonably airtight because in all this time the bright work has never been re-polished; only wiped over with a duster on two or three occasions.
Slightly off topic, after every four or five years the matt black paint on the chimney of this model develops a strange grey “bloom” on the surface, which simply wipes off. I know my father used Precision Paints for the colours on this engine, but I can’t be certain about the black.
Presumably there must be some kind of gaseous discharge from elsewhere on the engine, or the teak (varnished) plinth, or the Perspex cover, that is causing this.
Anybody come across anything similar or got any ideas on what is causing this?
Regards,
Phil

[circlip]

When we had finished our pride and joys in metalwork at school, now that dates it, a school with a metalwork class, we used to have to polish to a high brightness with NO scratches, swish in cellulose thinners and allow to dry, then paint with a clear lacquer. Yep, the lacquer was also clear cellulose ( clear dope) so as the elfins are going to go apesh4t over that one, it may be an idea to look on Horological supplies sites as this was also the way to preserve the polish on clock plates. I think celluloses are only available from specialists cos of the glue sniffing fraternity. Regards Ian.

[awins]

Thanks all I had thought along the lines of a lacquer, I seem to remember making rings in Metalwork at school and applying girls clear nail varnish to prevent the Copper turning our fingers green. Any one remember the good old days at school when we made things from metal !! Cheers all.

[AndrewP]

I've seen something called 'Museum Wax' recommended for this purpose but know no more about it I'm afraid, it might Google!