Finishing brass

jmquinn05 · October 16, 2010, 02:31 PM

I found a CVA 1861 Colt Navy that my dad got years ago and I just about have it done except for the brass and grip. I have the brass looking alot better than it did when I opened the kit but it still could use some work. I am out of ideas on what to use, this is the first kit I have built and the instructions for the gun are long gone. If anyone has any ideas that would be great. Thanks.

bedbugbilly · October 16, 2010, 03:33 PM

I'm assuming the brass is "as cast"? If so, staert with a fine mill file and smooth up the casting. Brass has a tendency to "clog" the teeth of the file which can cause even more "scratches" - one way around this is to run a piece of chalk over the file before filing and repeat as necessary. From there, various grades of emery paper can be used. Back the emery paper with a small wood block or similar so that surfaces remane flat and square where they need to be. Once you have it worked down with the emery paper - say perhaps a 400 or 600 grit, you can then do a final buffing of it with a buffing wheel mounted on a grinder utilizing rouge. Just take it slow and don't over file, emery paper or buff in order to keep square edges square, etc. It sounds like you have a fun project - good luck with it! Others on here will probably have other suggestions as well as there is always more than one way to "get 'er done".

jmquinn05 · October 16, 2010, 03:44 PM

It has been very fun working on it and I'm almost sad that its nearing the end but the result will be worth it. Thd steel was rusted from years of being in a shed but with some work it now has the look of an old gun. Thanks for the tips they will help out alot.

whipper · October 16, 2010, 04:57 PM

Most all of my BP guns were kits, I had a lot of fun putting them together, a lot of filing and sanding.

If you have a dremal tool you can use it to get into the small areas for sanding and polishing.

I use Flitz to polish all the brass, with very little effort it will look like gold when done.

Have fun!

Doc Hoy · October 16, 2010, 05:48 PM

Once you get the finish where you want it you can hit it with Brasso or Neverdull. It'll shine like a ruby in a goat's a __ __.

October 16, 2010, 02:31 PM	#1
jmquinn05 Member Join Date: September 14, 2010 Location: The State of Texas Posts: 23	Finishing brass I found a CVA 1861 Colt Navy that my dad got years ago and I just about have it done except for the brass and grip. I have the brass looking alot better than it did when I opened the kit but it still could use some work. I am out of ideas on what to use, this is the first kit I have built and the instructions for the gun are long gone. If anyone has any ideas that would be great. Thanks.

October 16, 2010, 03:33 PM	#2
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	I'm assuming the brass is "as cast"? If so, staert with a fine mill file and smooth up the casting. Brass has a tendency to "clog" the teeth of the file which can cause even more "scratches" - one way around this is to run a piece of chalk over the file before filing and repeat as necessary. From there, various grades of emery paper can be used. Back the emery paper with a small wood block or similar so that surfaces remane flat and square where they need to be. Once you have it worked down with the emery paper - say perhaps a 400 or 600 grit, you can then do a final buffing of it with a buffing wheel mounted on a grinder utilizing rouge. Just take it slow and don't over file, emery paper or buff in order to keep square edges square, etc. It sounds like you have a fun project - good luck with it! Others on here will probably have other suggestions as well as there is always more than one way to "get 'er done". __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

October 16, 2010, 03:44 PM	#3
jmquinn05 Member Join Date: September 14, 2010 Location: The State of Texas Posts: 23	It has been very fun working on it and I'm almost sad that its nearing the end but the result will be worth it. Thd steel was rusted from years of being in a shed but with some work it now has the look of an old gun. Thanks for the tips they will help out alot. __________________ "Running around like a bunch of chickens with their legs cut off." - Uncle Si

October 16, 2010, 05:48 PM	#5
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	JM, Once you get the finish where you want it you can hit it with Brasso or Neverdull. It'll shine like a ruby in a goat's a __ __. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

October 16, 2010, 04:57 PM	#4
whipper Member Join Date: March 3, 2006 Posts: 47	Most all of my BP guns were kits, I had a lot of fun putting them together, a lot of filing and sanding. If you have a dremal tool you can use it to get into the small areas for sanding and polishing. I use Flitz to polish all the brass, with very little effort it will look like gold when done. Have fun!