who knows the best way to do it? how do you start it, when the radiator is painted? what supplies do you need? steel wool? i heard a product called brasso polishes it real nice. please any help would be great!
do what is necessary to get the paint off. once off start with steel wool, then brasso. this is a old school thing. I first polished mine about 1955. been after it ever since.looks good if done right.
I have seen only one picture of a radiator that was polished, looked nice too. I do know that "Brasso" is used to polish brass and is great stuff but I didn't use it on a radiator. I just wonder what kinda maintenance is needed to keep it looking good. I also wonder what the lead (if any) will look like. Some radiators I seen have brass tanks but have a lead looking solder for attaching them to the cores and stuff. If you do it be sure to post pics.
Maybe shine it up real good with the Brasso then shoot some clear on it? I would definitely like to see pics of this too...
polishing brass radiator tanks is old school, not many people are doing it these days, so when you see it, its sort of special.. but i was just wondering (48fordnut) if removing the paint with steel wool, would scratch the brass? whats the best way to remove the paint?
ok here goes a maintence intensive chore. just like polished alum, the brass will need to be polished all the time. the best way to do this is remove the rad. then use paint stripper on the black paint. once All the paint is removed I usually use sand paper to get the finish i want. don't be afraid to use 180, there may be scratches. go all the way up to about 320. you may also want to use a propane torch gently to remove some of the solder that may be showing where the rad is connected to the steel supports, or not. once you have cleaned it to where you are satisified, then start with fine steel wool, then brasso. there are many types of brass polish, so find what is best for you. after all is done get you a rad comb, and straighten some fins, then paint the rad with a semi gloss black paint. its a lot of work, but rewarding for you when someone says how nice it looks. easier ways may be around but this was what worked for me. its called pride in ownership.
