Two quick questions from a newbie

Thank you for letting me join this forum.
I am totally new to fettling, so I have a couple of simple questions.
I have just managed to get my hands on a Tilley Guardsman with the chrome coloured fount. What is the best metal polish to use on this. I was thinking Brasso or Solvo Autosol, what do you use?
The other question is what type of oil or liquid do you soak the plunger washer in before fitting?
Thanks in Anticipation
Chris

 

Welcome to the forum. They are possibly my favourite lantern, mostly for sentimental reasons, but also because they look good and work well.

I use autosol metal polish.

If I recall correctly the traditionalists use neatsfoot oil for pump cups. I’ve had great success with a non-staining oil mountainbike riders use on thier gears and chains - so in my view there are a number of light, usually clear, oils that you can use. (I’ve also used light sewing machine oil!).

I’m sure other members will son provide more, possibly better, advice!

Again, welcome!

 

Thank you very much for your welcome and all your advice, it is much appreciated.

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Welcome Chris_H.
Autosol would do for the polish.
Any lubricating paraffin-based oil, soak it overnight. Or neatsfoot(I don't use this though).
I sometimes use a little olive oil or clean engine oil...not too thin.

 

I use any light oil. It works fine. I let the pump leather set overnight and wipe off any residual oil when I'm ready to use it. Seems to work pretty good. The key is to let it soak long enough for the oil to penetrate the leather.

 

I would not recommend vegetable oils as they contain oleic acids which rot the leather and are hygroscopic, i.e. attract water. Neatsfoot oil and machine oils will ensure the longest life from the leather.

 

I'll stop using olive oil if that's the case. Just machine oils. Cheaper here too.

 

Thank you all for the advice.

 

Never use Brasso or any other polish with amonia content. Amonia is the slow death for brass. Makes it nice and shiny but in 20 or so years will cause stress cracks. ::Neil::

 

Thank you for your reply.
I have never heard of Brasso being a problem to Brass. It has always been the defacto choice for cleaning brass buckles etc.
I lean to your knowledge, what would you recommend?
As I said earlier I have used Autosol already.
TIA
Chris

 

The ammonia becomes an issue when used on a brass pressure vessel or any other stressed brass part.
Autosol Metal Polish and Autosol Marine Shine are both excellent polishes, as well as Meguiars and in the USA Mothers.

 

Brasso is fine on cast brass but on brass rolled, stamped or spun the amonia and other chemicals attacks the zinc in brass and starts the cracking process. Acids do the same thing. Acid cleaners leave the surface with a pinkish look which means the zinc has been disolved and the pink is the copper showing. You can polish the copper colour out but at microscopic level the brass then has fine defects which again will lead to eventual stress cracks. ::Neil::

 

Thank you. I never thought of Maguires, I use that on the car.

 

Thanks very much for all your replies. It gives me something to be getting on with. Will probably have a lot more questions as I go along.
Will post pictures when complete.
Thanks Again
Chris

 

Agreed that ammoniacal solutions could be detrimental to pressurized brass vessels.
If zinc removal is the cause, then could a citric acid bath be equally harmful in that sense?

 

I never thought about the NH3 being an issue, It makes sense and there are a ton of polishes without it. I use Maas but it does not work as well if the part is really cruddy.

 

Most acids also turn the brass pink which means the zinc has been disolved leaving a copper film and more importantly minute cracks which in time can develop into stress cracks. ::Neil::

 

Very good advices concerning polishing brass. I'll stick to Autosol then when deeper cleaning is needed. Thanks!