Tue Nov 18, 2014 1:39 pm by Doogs
Here's my reply to Papa Gleb about lock restoration:
Hi Papa:
I don't touch the patina unless there's severe rust, paint or oxidation. Paint or rust I delicately remove with a pick or a brass bristle brush if it's really bad and try not to get anywhere there isn't paint/rust. Brasso or similar for genaral oxidization. 3M pads will work also but you risk removing that age if you get aggressive. If you do get carried away and need to just say EFF IT! Clean them up with 3M pads or whatever mild abrasive (not sandpaper) and liquid polish (Brasso, Flitz, LPS) taking it to an even polish you are happy with and then give it a couple of light coats of varnish (preferably the type they use on motor windings).
Dremel and other similar power tools can help and are more precise but watch the speed and pressure. The key here is practice and familiarity.
Find some old brass/bronze hardware or whatever you can find such as doorknobs, latches and hinges and experiment with it. It will save you a lot of frustration and depressing mistakes and give you the confidence to get those collectibles purdy.
Hope this helps. You might wan't to start a thread and see what others have to say as there's a lot of talent around here.
ETA:
I find if you want to take brass back to like new condition, use a felt buffing wheel on a bench grinder
and use varying grades of rouge/polishing compound to get to the desired finish. Quick and easy and just a bit of hand wiping with a good residue free cleaner to finish. To keep it looking shiny get a can of clear spray lacquer and give the lock a couple of light coats. This will work for other metals and alloys also.
The other, other, other, other Mike
(21:55:20) HAL 9001RC:: Heh heh uh heh uh heh uh uh heh PhoneMan said ass