Refurbishing Brass Tags.

[speleausmining]

Most brass manufacturers tags were once Japaned black with the raised portions polished. You do not see this much on restored engines. I allways liked the look so here is the before and after of some tags I have refurbished. I use a gloss black automotive paint to paint over the whole tag then before the paint has fully cured (before it reaches maximum hardness and adhesion) I carfully scrape the paint off of the high points using custom made plastic tools. Once done the whole thing gets a coat of automotive clear coat to protect the work.

[speleausmining]

Here is the other photo and a photo of a tag with original Japaning intact.

[trowel]

looking good, i can read it now, i should do that to my clinton

[John Hamilton]

Those look good. I use Duplicolor black lacquer and spray on a light coat. Like you said you have to start removing the paint before it's hard.

I use about a 100 grit sanding block even on these very thin aluminum plates and they turn out great. I haven't needed a clear coat.

[John Hamilton]

Here's a heavy cast brass tag using the lacquer and sanding block. It's still shiny after 2 years with no clearcoat. I think clearcoat seems to soften the edges of the letters.

[speleausmining]

That Alpha DeLaval is actually the first tag I have found were the original Japaning is still intact enough to save. Usually when I find them they are like the two examples shown, completely oxidized. Refurbishing old iron is always a ballence between preservation and restoration and its never an easy one. That said When the taggs are in as poor a condition as some of them I have done I feel its a net gain for the engines appearance and value. I have never cared for the look of a simply buffed and pollished brass tag. As for clear coat its not so much to prevent oxidation of the brass its more to provide a hard layer over the work to gard it against scratches or dings in the event someone leans something up agaist in by accident.

[Ryan Anderson]

Great looking tags!

Originally Posted by speleausmining

I carefully scrape the paint off of the high points using custom made plastic tools.

What do these tools look like?

[John Newman, Jr.]

I like to use those fake credit cards that come with the card offers in the mail. Stiff enough to do the job and throw away when finished.
If you need an even stiffer scraper, cut from an aluminum beer/soda can to use.