New member and old powder flask that needs fixing.

[arcticap]

I do like the patina, I just want to rid it of the rust. Not sure what is best way to remove the rust without scratching it up.

Vinegar will remove rust from brass and I believe that it's also used to age and darken brass and to impart patina.
Folks have described using vinegar to age brass to make it look older and antique.
Hopefully doing it that way won't reveal the shiny brass under the rust.

This video shows how the brass remains all tarnished even after the rust is removed using the "vinegar only" method.


Discussion about preferring a shiny or dark brass finish has been an interesting topic for discussion on this forum in the past.--->>> https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/poll-do-you-prefer-polished-or-tarnished-brass.874442/

 

[DocCharlie]

Vinegar will remove rust from brass and I believe that it's also used to age and darken brass and to impart patina.
Folks have described using vinegar to age brass to make it look older and antique.
Hopefully doing it that way won't reveal the shiny brass under the rust.

This video shows how the brass remains all tarnished even after the rust is removed using the "vinegar only" method.


Discussion about preferring a shiny or dark brass finish has been an interesting topic for discussion on this forum in the past.--->>> https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/poll-do-you-prefer-polished-or-tarnished-brass.874442/

That’s good stuff arcticap! Very satisfying to watch it slowly clean up a little! I like the color of it tarnished for sure! I Just have to get that rust off! Do you think trying to brush the rust spots with 0000steel wool would hurt the brass? Or Should i just try the vinegar

 

[arcticap]

That’s good stuff arcticap! Very satisfying to watch it slowly clean up a little! I like the color of it tarnished for sure! I Just have to get that rust off! Do you think trying to brush the rust spots with 0000steel wool would hurt the brass? Or Should i just try the vinegar

I wouldn't use anything except vinegar at first to see if it works as intended.
You don't want to have 2 toned brass.
If you need steel wool to remove the rust, then I guess that you could re-tarnish the brass afterward.
But who knows what the result will look like?

Did you see the photos in post #11 in the thread with the poll?
It shows the color produced by soaking a shiny brass trigger guard in vinegar. SEE POST #11--->>> https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/poll-do-you-prefer-polished-or-tarnished-brass.874442/

 

[DocCharlie]

I wouldn't use anything except vinegar at first to see if it works as intended.
You don't want to have 2 toned brass.
If you need steel wool to remove the rust, then I guess that you could re-tarnish the brass afterward.
But who knows what the result will look like?

Did you see the photos in post #11 in the thread with the poll?
It shows the color produced by soaking a shiny brass trigger guard in vinegar. SEE POST #11--->>> https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/poll-do-you-prefer-polished-or-tarnished-brass.874442/

Yea that finish looks good!! I just ordered the spring from track of the wolf website. So while I’m waiting or it I will try the vinegar method!

 

[bearleft]

Welcome!!
I'd treat the flask like cleaning reloading brass and use Lemi-shine and dawn with a nylon brush and a rag.

 

[arcticap]

Welcome!!
I'd treat the flask like cleaning reloading brass and use Lemi-shine and dawn with a nylon brush and a rag.

That's a great suggestion to almost instantly remove tarnish and dirt, and to help remove rust and make the brass look like new.
The active ingredient in Lemi-shine is citric acid.
However, DocCharlie said that he wants to preserve the patina and doesn't want to remove it.
Here's a post that describes how Lemi-shine works on tarnished brass cases. --->>> http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?83572-Citric-acid-brass-cleaner

 

[arcticap]

For the benefit of others, here's a video showing how effectively that citric acid can work to clean the tarnish off a brass light fixture.
He's using citric acid a.k.a. lemon salt that was bought at a supermarket.

 

[DocCharlie]

That's a great suggestion to almost instantly remove tarnish and dirt, and to help remove rust and make the brass look like new.
The active ingredient in Limi-shine is citric acid.
However, Doc Charlie said that he wants to preserve the patina and doesn't want to remove it.
Here's a post that describes how Lemi-shine works on tarnished brass cases. --->>> http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?83572-Citric-acid-brass-cleaner[/QUOTE
Thanks bearleft! I’d like to keep it in the patina that it’s in because it’s the same way I remember it with my father minus the rust. So I’d like to keep it as he had it

 

[Fingers McGee]

Rb17 is a good cleaning agent. It will remove the rust and not the bluing.
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