I have a 1954 Coleman 242 tank that I’m trying to restore. I’ve tried mothers polish and a rag but its not shifting what you see in the photos. Can someone please tell me how i can restore this tank. If i use steel wool with Brasso or mothers polish with steel wool will that shift what you see in the photos. Any advice would be appreciated, I’m sure I can get the tank looking better than it currently looks. Cheers Kiwi
Hi there Using the fine steel wool with polish is a bit of a leap of faith thing, use 0000 grade wool only with the polish and try on a part that doesn’t show too much first? as you gain experience you will find how far you can go with it? good luck with everything regards pb
I would try a citric acid bath. It's easier than you might think and citric acid powder is easy to get on Amazon or eBay. You'll need to experiment with the strength and timings but it's extremely effective and doesn't scratch the surface like steel wool does.
Perhaps a soak in vinegar for about 30 minutes and then the 0000 steel wool to remove the crud that was loosened. Leave the items in these things too long and the nickel comes off as well.
Would that be a steel tank that has been nickel plated ? I’m thinking what options I have as I don’t want to leave it as is. Plus if you zoom in what has happened to the nickel whats on it.
Each situation is different. Often they look worse than they are. Usually only the base is steel. Try a magnet. It's amazing what some people can do but a lot of skill is needed. The standard easy treatments (citric acid, vinegar, commercial metal cleaners) described work to clean things up a bit. Get the collar off the thing and try that first. Use any steel wool too hard and you will risk loosing plating. Good luck.
Thanks all, i will try all of the above and see how I go. Can anyone tell me is the 242B common and easily found or sort after. Its 1954 stamped.
Ok i’ve checked an the magnet does not stick to the tank, only the bottom. Am I to presume this is brass. If so can I use paint stripper to remove the nickel to get down to brass. Thats worse case scenario if I can’t clean the nickel.
Fount sides should be brass and plated with nickel. Base is steel and probably some treatment or coating inside. Some you find with bases in excellent condition and others require TLC. If you soak the fount long enough in things like vinegar the nickel plating gets adversely affected and starts falling off. Someone else will have to advise on paint stripper as I don't leave it on anything for too long. Hopefully it will restore to a condition matching its age without having to remove the nickel.
From the pictures, I think a lot of nickel had already thinned away, showing the underlying brass with greenish oxidation or patina-like surface. I might not be seeing correctly but fount looks kind of glossy there. Has it by any chance, ever been overcoated with clear lacquer? If so, then Mothers, Brasso or any other polish won't do anything. Same goes for any acid treatments. You need to first, remove (if any) possible clear coats before proceeding.
Ok it appears there was a clear coat on the nickel and that it was quite thin causing the brass to go green. It’s going to be work in progress this tank. I really do appreciate everyones advise and help its very much appreciated. It’s an amazing hobby and very rewarding one at that. You guys are full of great knowledge. Cheers Kiwi
No I agree but the web for original owner might have sprayed it. I’m not very good cleaning nickel lol
I think Myn is right the staining is oxidation and not paint or a substance that merely dripped onto the lantern. I don't think? you can really clean up that oxidation without destroying the nickel plating. If you can't live with the staining don't strip it to brass have it plated. Look for a plating service if not locally one that you can ship the fount too. The result would be a lantern you like and not a brass fake you just accept.
I have an Evening Star lantern that i spent ages trying to polish without much progress and was told by a professional polisher that many older lanterns were lacquered from the factory and acetone etc might be needed to remove it, this may not be the case with yours though.
Hi MG, yep thats very true, hence why I remove it on most of my full restores. There’s so much to learn especially when you think you know everything something then catches you off guard lol
Isn't that the truth, i know very little compared to some on here and still make rookie mistakes or ask silly questions I've had the Evening Star for a few years now, i also have a few litres of acetone but it just keeps getting put to the back of the queue, at least its here and not rusting away somewhere.
