Hey everyone! I recently picked up a Stanley No. 5 and have started restoring it. I managed to use it to join some pine boards for a Father's Day gift, which was great! I love a bit of character and patina on my tools, but I also enjoy the look of shiny polished brass. I'm looking for tips on how to clean up the brass parts, particularly the tricky depth adjustment knob with all its tight spots. Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!
3 Answers
Vinegar's a classic go-to for cleaning brass! It works well, but if you're after something more powerful, try mixing vinegar with ketchup for a paste—great for getting that high polish look. Just be sure to protect any threads with tape if you're using a drill to speed up the buffing process!
I swear by Bar Keepers Friend paste. The results depend on how much elbow grease you put into it. For the depth adjuster knob, a toothbrush does wonders to get in there and clean it right up without scratching.
Good tip about the toothbrush! It’s the perfect size for those tight spots.
If you've got a Dremel, grab some small wire brush attachments. They work wonders on getting into the tight corners. For shining up your brass, fine wet/dry sandpaper, especially 600 grit and above, does the trick. You might also find jeweler's rouge effective, and some paint stores carry it. If there's a lapidary shop nearby, check there for even finer polishing abrasives!
Yeah, that vinegar+ketchup combo is solid! Just don't forget to tape off the threads; you really don't want to damage them!