Sealing Brass?

This topic has 9 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 12 May 2022 at 10:51 by Wal Werbel.

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11 May 2022 at 14:44 #597849
Wal Werbel
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@walwerbel59154
Hello all,

Having recently made a couple of brass signs (pics below) I'm wondering about how to seal – or even whether or not to bother.

My options so far are
- Spray on clear-coat
- Brush on shellac based lacquer
- Wax
I'm already using shellac to seal in the patina and I'm gravitating towards wax for the bare metal bits – my reasoning being that it's non-permanent and will allow for easier maintenance – ie. not having to remove lacquer once it crazes and the brass below starts to blacken.

Any opinions and further tips?

Many thanks.

Wal.
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11 May 2022 at 14:44 #30225
Wal Werbel
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@walwerbel59154
11 May 2022 at 16:14 #597858
noel shelley
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@noelshelley55608
DO NOT laquer ! Unless extreme care is used the lacquer WILL NOT adhere to a polished surface and VERY easily chip with handeling. There is not prize for guessing how I know this ! The No 9 is brass the other looks more like a bronze ? Noel.
11 May 2022 at 17:39 #597869
bernard towers
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@bernardtowers37738
Microscope makers used to lacquer their instruments successfully why not use whatever they used (shellac based I believe). Personally I use Halfords clear lacquer and have never had it craze (so far).
11 May 2022 at 18:08 #597872
Mike Crossfield
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@mikecrossfield92481
If, as seems likely, the items are going to be exposed to the weather, the only real solution is lacquer. I can recommend Incralac. This was developed specifically for copper based alloys. A bit pricey, but good stuff. Available in tins or aerosol cans.

Mike
11 May 2022 at 19:42 #597887
Grindstone Cowboy
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@grindstonecowboy
I believe you can get clear powder coating – that might be an option?

Rob
11 May 2022 at 20:44 #597893
Jon Lawes
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@jonlawes51698
We used Incralac for brass letters on the stern of a boat; they have retained their polish nicely with no sign of cracking or crazing yet, and its been on there longer than I can remember.
12 May 2022 at 02:40 #597918
Wal Werbel
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@walwerbel59154
Incralac it is, then.

Many thanks for your advice!

Wal.
12 May 2022 at 08:39 #597932
Kiwi Bloke
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@kiwibloke62605
Wal, lovely work! Please could you tell us how you made these? Presumably not cast, as traditionally done (?).

[Edit} Oh, just seen your other post. Presumably similar technique…

Edited By Kiwi Bloke on 12/05/2022 08:42:53
12 May 2022 at 10:51 #597944
Wal Werbel
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@walwerbel59154
Posted by Kiwi Bloke on 12/05/2022 08:39:31:

Wal, lovely work! Please could you tell us how you made these? Presumably not cast, as traditionally done (?).

[Edit} Oh, just seen your other post. Presumably similar technique…

Edited By Kiwi Bloke on 12/05/2022 08:42:53

Kiwi, this technique is achieved using the 'texture' tool-path in VCarve. It's pretty cool but it takes an age to machine – less detail and bigger tools speed it up a bit, but there's a lot of up down, move a bit, up down, move a bit etc. Fine for one-offs, but certainly not a production technique, for example – the texture on the Church Villa sign took around 6-7 hours..! On my other post (the badge) the texture is modelled and machined with a 0.7mm ball-nose end-mill.

Wal.
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