Restoring 50 yr old Swiss Cow Bells

[Buzzer]

I have been given the job of polishing a set of brass cow bells. They are as dull as a brown paper bag. They haven't been touched for about 25 years.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to bring them to there former glory?

Cheers
Buzzer.

[RufflyRustic]

Old brass

HWMNBO asked me to polish up some old brass truck plates.

Talk about hard work.

Anyway, here's what I've tried with varying levels of success:
. brasso - rag, soft brush, cardboard - the cardboard worked the best with brasso, the soft brush for embossing/patterns

. salt and white vinegar with a rag - this has worked really well

. sandpaper - be very careful if you choose this option, it should really only be a very last resort, imho. only use fine sandpaper and only on areas without etching/patterns

The first two options require a lot of patience and elbow grease. I gave up after two hours. The plates look heaps better than they first did, but there's still about 10 years of grime to be removed

good luck with your bells!

cheers
Wendy

[Cliff Rogers]

Try Coke.

[craigb]

Try Coke.

What, do you mean if you have a couple of lines you don't give a rat's about bloody cow bells?

[Daddles]

Actually, Wendy's come up with the best solution - get the missus to do it

Hard work and profanity methinks. Just hope the surface is relatively smooth. Unless you want to try that liquid cleaner that used to be advertised on tele. Can't remember the name but it was supposed to strip everything off everything, cure cancer, end the Iraq war - must be good stuff

Richard

[journeyman Mick]

Polishing mop in a grinder or drill. Don't use the one that you use for timber, the ones for metal are harder somehow, I think there's more stitching in them. Works pretty well, and a hell of a lot faster than any manual method.

Mick

[RufflyRustic]

Actually, Wendy's come up with the best solution - get the missus to do it

Hard work and profanity methinks. ......

Somedays I think I should have a hydrangea in the back yard. No need to feed it with an iron solution, the air's blue enough some days



Thanks Mick - I wonder what HWMNBO's got in his shed

[Clinton1]

polishing mop and some green cutting compound.

Finish with Autosol and the mop, or by hand.

If the bell has been hand peened (you'll see the hammer marks), then the polishing mop and compound should be used with care. A heavy hand can see some definition of the marks lost.

Stuff doing it by hand... done that too many times before.

[Buzzer]

Thanks everyone for your ideas.

Delegating the job is not an option!!

So the polishing mop and compound sounds like a good idea to me.

I just tried, by hand, and gave up after 10 minutes.

Thanks and cheers

Buzzer

[DJ’s Timber]

Go with a rag mop on your bench grinder, you can get them at Bunnings with the taper screw spindle as well.

You just need to measure what size thread you have on you grinder and choose wether to use the left or right so you can get a left or right threaded spindle.

If you have trouble getting the buffing compound off after you have got your polish right, use a bit of metho on a rag and she will come up beautiful.

Shame your in QLD, you could have used my gear.

Oh, and make sure you keep any edges facing away and down from the mop otherwise she will rip out of your hands

[outback]

I think the question which really needs answering is: Does a 50 year old cow really care if her bells are polished or not?

[DJ’s Timber]

Just realise something else as well, are you sure they are brass. They were usually made from some type of tin

[Buzzer]

Just realise something else as well, are you sure they are brass. They were usually made from some type of tin

Hi,
Yes I am 99% sure they are brass.

I also have the tin type ones(which will need recoating), which from what I can gather are the ones they actually used on the cows, and the brass ones, I think are for display.

Cheers
Buzzer

[journeyman Mick]

Buzzer,
I believe that when the seasons change (not sure which change) the cows come down from the high paddocks into the town paddocks. There's a big ceremony and the most productive cow leads the procession into the village wearing the ceremonial bells and al sorts of decorations.

Mick

[rona]

Hi Buzz,
The polishing mop and a cutting compound is the way to go, do not use any abrasive type of cloths or materials; when you have finished give them a coat of clear laquer ASAP or they will tarnish overnight.
When we were married (1969 I think!) at melbourne, we travelled from there to stay the night at my parents house in Stawel, as they were still in Melbourne, then travelled on to Adelaide the next day. However, being tired and already had a stessful day we decided to got to bed about 2.00 am in the morning..................... Now my father, being my father, had tied two very large Cow Bells to the underneath side of the bed, and yes they do make a noise even after being well over 50 years old............. was quite ammusing at the time as you can immagine!

Regards,
Ron.