Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => General Procedures => Topic started by: xjchad on October 22, 2018, 03:20:22 PM

Title: How to remove plating from brass?
Post by: xjchad on October 22, 2018, 03:20:22 PM
Let's say the nickle/chrome plating on the brass is so far gone that it can't be restored.
Is there an easy way to remove the rest of if so that the bare brass can be polished and the part used that way?
Title: Re: How to remove plating from brass?
Post by: RowdyW on October 22, 2018, 04:36:35 PM
Is it peeling or just discolored or pitting. If it's not peeling then there wouldn't be any need for concern as it's inside the reel & doesn't show. Then just clean it in the normal way and grease it. Ugly looking won't hurt preformance.  ;D     Rudy
Title: Re: How to remove plating from brass?
Post by: jurelometer on October 22, 2018, 06:57:31 PM
On the older Penns that I have powder coated, the chrome over brass came off instantly in the sandblast booth using some pretty abrasive garnet.   A good rough surface for powder coating.  Not sure if is is the best option if you want polish it up.   

Any idea which alloy Penn used in the brass parts?

-J
Title: Re: How to remove plating from brass?
Post by: STRIPER LOU on October 22, 2018, 08:28:46 PM
2nd the sand blasting. It has to be pretty aggressive and probably not a good choice if you want to re-chrome.  Plater  can strip but its expensive.

I use emery cloth. Unfortunately, time consuming but cheap. Depending on the shape of the part, the lathe can come in handy.

Here's a link of a reel I did and have done several since. Parts the weren't round were done by hand with emery and then polished with a brush and some compound on a dremel.

http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=21302.0

Hope this helps,  ..  Lou
Title: Re: How to remove plating from brass?
Post by: 1badf350 on October 22, 2018, 10:39:24 PM
Quote from: RowdyW on October 22, 2018, 04:36:35 PM
Ugly looking won't hurt preformance.  ;D     Rudy

Rudy, I'm trying hard not to make a joke at your expense.  :D :D
Title: Re: How to remove plating from brass?
Post by: Maxed Out on October 23, 2018, 05:20:49 AM

Fine emory cloth will remove the plating

1500 and 2000 wet sanding, then a quick buff will get the results you described....PS, pitting may still be visible depending on how bad the pitting is
Title: Re: How to remove plating from brass?
Post by: oc1 on October 23, 2018, 10:16:38 AM
 I'm with Rudy.  The plating (or what's left of it) is there to reduce corrosion.  Raw brass will tarnish just sitting on the shelf.
-steve
Title: Re: How to remove plating from brass?
Post by: xjchad on October 23, 2018, 11:11:21 PM
Thanks for the ideas guys!  I'm going to play around with some things and see what happens  :o

Lou, that reel gorgeous!