I have a B600L that has been stored in a damp basement for many years. The leather is in nice shape and there is a little musty smell, but I think I can deal with that. However, the latches, hinges and handle pivots are really a crappy ugly green. I want to polish them back to original shininess(if that's a word) but I have read they are not really brass, just a cheap type of steel plated with brass and too much polishing can remove the brass plate. Question, do you think I can use brasso and a soft cloth without removing too much of the plating? I don't want to destroy them and have to find a new set or pay to have them replated. Any suggestions for restoring these would be appreciated.

The brass comes off easily. Underneath is some copper that might last a bit longer. Under that is steel, which can be polished very bright. If you do damage the brass coating (probably), you can remove the rivets and have the latches electroplated (or polish them to a chrome lustre). Rivets like the ones originally used can be found at your hardware store.

T.

Thomas/Dave,
I've been moderately successful using the small electro plate kits from AES. I think the copper is a pre-plate process to help the brass. If you get thru the brass and down to the copper without removing it, polish it well, then try the brass electroplating kit. If you get down to the steel, then polish it and plate with copper first, polish again, then plate with brass. I did some replacement detent hinges (shiny steel) on an RCA 67V1 console with the copper only, then used toning lacquer to darken back to originals, of which I had only one. You're right, going to a plating shop can be very costly.

marv

:The brass comes off easily. Underneath is some copper that might last a bit longer. Under that is steel, which can be polished very bright. If you do damage the brass coating (probably), you can remove the rivets and have the latches electroplated (or polish them to a chrome lustre). Rivets like the ones originally used can be found at your hardware store.
:
:T.

Here is one more source for plating small parts yourself.
Terry F

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/plugnplate.htm

Thomas/Marv/Terry:

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I will try to be ever so diligent in trying to not remove the brass plating. However, if I get to the point I have to look at replating, the advice and weblinks you gave me will come in handy. Thanks again guys for your time!

David

Hi ! I found an unlikely source for all kinds of hadles , hardware, latches, ect..
try them----I bought a leather handle from them for use on a portable suitcase Victrola... worked out fine.

..
www.brettunsvillage.com/trunks/howto/parts/schandles.htm

Adam,
I'll personally vouch for Brettun's Village prices, reliability and customer service, if they have what you need. Restored several old trunks and always purchesed mat'ls from them.

marv

:Hi ! I found an unlikely source for all kinds of hadles , hardware, latches, ect..
:try them----I bought a leather handle from them for use on a portable suitcase Victrola... worked out fine.
:
:..
:www.brettunsvillage.com/trunks/howto/parts/schandles.htm
: