Cleaning/Polishing Brass Trim On Helmets If You Want “Shine”.

R

Rkinkade

Active member
Thought I would share my method learned over 40 years. I have stated previously that I prefer original patina. Sometimes however, the brass is green, black, pitted, or deeply scratched and unless you like that look, you must clean it. Or a solder repair is needed discoloring the brass or leaving unwanted excess solder. When I am in this situation, I remove the parts from the helmet and I use wet sandpaper to remove or reduce the damage. I start with coarse 100 to 120 grit, then work my way up using 220, 400, 1000 and finally 1500. Brass sands easily, so it goes fairly quick. A quick final polish using semi chrome or flitz polish on a soft rag will make it look as new. If no scratches are present, and the oxidation is not too bad, you can jump right to the 1500 grit and then polish.

When it comes to wappen, I have never came up with a satisfying method of re-finishing. You can hit the high spots as above, use some 0000 steel or brass wool on the low spots, and use polish and a toothbrush. That’s about all you can do.

I suggest you first practice on a junk piece to determine how well this method works for you.

Ron
 
When necessary, I use a sonic cleaner and finish the job with Hagerty Silver Foam, water and a soft tooth brush. This changes a dull/oxidized wappen into looking like new. I have also used a buffing wheel and a soft metal cleaning compound for trim, spines and domed brads. On something with deep chocolate oxidization, I would first go at it with Brasso and then the buffing compound.
 
An easy quick fix on the wappens is to soak it in sudsy ammonia.
You need to check often.
If not the sudsy ammonia will turn the wappen brown.
I was taught this trick by Randy T.
 
I got these method from a professional helmet restorer:
  • Mix fine chalk (the material used for stucco) and alcohol to form a paste.
  • Clean the metal parts very carefully and gently with a cotton swab and this paste. Make sure that the leather does not come into contact with it.
  • Once the alcohol has evaporated, the chalk can be gently wiped off with a soft brush or soft cloth without leaving any residue.
 
Baking soda mixed with citric acid and a little water. The chemical reaction creates a foam, which I clean with a toothbrush or a soft brass bristle brush.I know from experience that even a little bit of ammonia causes Bavarian wappens to turn red.
 
You would be surprised at what works to polish brass. One time I used R12 pink insulation and it gave the spike a brilliant shine!
 
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