Thread: Tarnishing Brass Pins

hat do you guys use on shiny brass surfaces like pins etc... to keep them from tarnishing. I have restored several razors now and the pins tarnish after a few weeks. Even with wax on them. Is there some type of lacquer or varnish that can prevent this? And what about for brass liners?

That's a good question. I've noticed that the nasty old black scales tarnish faster than the white or cream coloured ones.

I've just assumed that everyone shows off their new pictures of their new babies and don't mention that they get all junked up with age. Kind of like a brand new car.

Mark

When I clean up a razor I give the pins the same finishing that the blade gets. That means hi speed polishing compound, high speed buffing with MAAS, hand buffing with MAAS, then hand buffing with a clean cloth.
I haven't had any problems with tarnish, so I'd venture to guess that these steps seal off the so that it does not oxidize.

Though I could be completely wrong and my success could be attributed to the dry climate in AZ.

All metals tarnish, especially when handled by humans. If it were not for its relatively quick tarnishing, brass would be an equal replacement for gold... and maybe... just as valuable.

Though I am surprised it does tarnish with a coat of wax... If left undisturbed with a coat of wax or other protection it should maintain its shine for a loooong time.

In any case a quick rub with a polishing cloth will restore.

put a thin layer of CA on the pin wile its still clean, i would think that could easily prevent tarnish

Maas polished brass Dubl Duck scale inlays still tarnish for me and fairly quickly in Minnesota. So, you may be on to something about the AZ climate. I have a jar of ren wax and have not tried applying that yet. Maybe that will help me.

Chris L

Yeah my pins tarnish fast here. I am working on a set with brass liners now and I hope they dont get ugly.

I used to have this problem on some of my early knives until an engineer from texas instruments let me know that there are several different grades of brass. This is going back 20 years so I may be off, but I believe he said that the brass you want to use is 360 brass. It doesn't tarnish as quickly. It will still tarnish. If you buy your brass from the knifemakers supply store's I believe that is the brass they sell. If you get brass at the hardware store it is a different grade. The 360 brass didn't tarnish as quick. Hope this helps.