Hi all, I was going to add these extra pics to my previous thread Optimus 300 with Petromax? Reflector??? but just thought let's keep this post about pics only. This one was found languishing on the grass along with a chrome tank 305 at a consistently decent boot sale in Essex. I had no idea if it was saveable when I found it but I'm glad I pursued it, I love this lamp, despite its worn appearance!!! In amongst the pics there are a couple of images of its condition when found.The filler cap is a replacement, an original could not be found.
@Mr cod, indeed. Plus very useful knowledge and spares supply from Mike at The Base Camp! My only regret is that I just couldnt shift that hard crud from the tank. It was weird, dusty but a solid coating. Unscrapeable, undiluteable, I just couldn't shift it!!! Same with the chromed 305. So I tried spirit of salt, initially on the 305 and it stripped the muck off immediately... Same treatment for this nickel plate 300 but it was probably a bit harsh for the fragile older surface. Maybe the nickel was super worn beneath anyway???? We'll never know. Looked into having it plated, no go, just been reading on here and CCS about home plating, so a poss for the future maybe. She's a regular worker for me so happy that the exterior is not too precious anyway.
Good works on getting it back up and running nothing beats that feeling of returning junk to useful. I have found spirit of salt (typically sulphamic or hydrochloric acid based) can react with the brass unfavourably. I have used it for deep cleaning of poor nickel surfaces (Harpic 10X) but it is removed 10 seconds after it goes on. For tank gunk cleaning I have found sodium hydroxide (Caustic soda) better and it seems to leave the brass alone for longer.
@Fireexit1 indeed, the spirit really messes with a brass tank. Tried it on a legless wreck and it pitted, dulled and changes to colour of the brass. I bought it to artificially age some pierced mild steel garden screens and it is magic for making rust in quick sharp time.
