Restore or not?

[JamesG161]

A friend called me today about her "find" and wanted my opinion on how to make this old PERKO mast head light Bright and Shiny.
She hopes to use it as a Patio Light.

What are your opinions and options?

A very big masthead light.


Note power inlet fitting on bottom and PERKO brand name on the top screw to open bulb access.



Close up of Brasso polished area....



Looks like Brass to me.
Jim...

PS: Modern version PERKO Inc. - Catalog - Navigation Lights - White Masthead Light [0110]

 

[kappykaplan]

Keep up with the Brasso, then cover with clear lacquer.

 

[dlochner]

Try a little ketchup, the acid in the ketchup may take off some of the tarnish with scratching.

 

[jssailem]

some of the tarnish with scratching.

Won't sand paper do that as well with out leaving the red stain?

I love to read typos.
Shows we are human...

 

[rgranger]

What a great find!

If the lens is plastic, some headlight restoring buffing compound should work well. I used some of that on my opening ports on my H26 and they cleaned right up. If the lens is glass, there are glass polishing compounds.... a buff wheel on a dremel should work well. The brass is easy.... some tarn-x and then silver polishing compound.

 

[Rick D]

I'd tend to clean it up real good and leave as-is. A lot of the charm of this is in the weathering. IMHO

 

[jibes138]

Isn’t it more likely bronze and not brass? Bronze is more copper colored and brass is more yellow.

 

[sailnoproblem]

Try a little ketchup, the acid in the ketchup may take off some of the tarnish with scratching.

I never thought of that, I'll have to give it a try. I have a few brass items that could use a little help.

 

[agprice22]

Polish the glass, leave the patina. The bronze will always age. Once it has the patina, it will stay that way. It is a beautiful light!
Of course, I would polish the heck out of it once, get it shiny, and then get lazy and let it age...

 

[JamesG161]

Bronze is more copper colored and brass is more yellow.

Bronze from Perko


Brass from Perko


Hmmm?
Jim...

PS: I suggested she send pictures to Perko for their info.

 

[ggrizzard]

Methinks the top bell is chrome or nickel plated...
I have one.

 

[jibes138]

Bronze from Perko
View attachment 168439

Brass from Perko
View attachment 168440

Hmmm?
Jim...

PS: I suggested she send pictures to Perko for their info.

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and is used mostly for decorative items because it resembles gold in color. It is not used in marine items exposed to weather, salt water, or water in general. Bronze is made from copper and tin and is used extensively in marine fittings exposed to the elements. The picture above of the bell is plated bronze and not at all indicative of the object from the OP. A boat mast light fixture will be bronze, not brass. Here's a pic of what they look like in raw form. Clearly where the item was polished to remove the patina it closely resembles the bronze bar in this picture.

 

[capta]

I do believe those lights are soldered copper.

 

[JamesG161]

I do believe those lights are soldered copper.

That was my first impression too. Then I thought "no way". Perko should be able to confirm.

If it is copper, then I would not remove the patina.
______

Methinks the top bell is chrome or nickel plated

Perko does offer the Chrome plated one too, but I got those brass/bronze pictures from Perko website.

___
That find must be very old and meant for a BIG Mast.
Jim...

 

[rgranger]

Bronze from Perko
View attachment 168439

Brass from Perko
View attachment 168440

Hmmm?
Jim...

PS: I suggested she send pictures to Perko for their info.

Those photos are definitely the opposite of what you would expect. Bronze is more resistant to oxidation than brass but brass is prettier and more ornamental

 

[jibes138]

The Liberty Bell is made of bronze. Perko should correct their photo that is not an accurate description of what they are selling. It should say "chrome or nickel plated bronze."

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Lemon juice works well on bronze, cleans but doesn't scratch