Tips for Restoring/Polishing Brass Lamps & Such
We learned this very valuable trick from Frank Luke at Paul Luke stoves. We had purchased a Cabo Rico 38 that had a 30 year old Luke fireplace in it. It was absolutely green and we were having a devil of a time getting anywhere with the usual polishing products. I called Mr. Luke for advice. He told us to clean it first with Lysol toilet bowl cleaner and a brush. We did and you would be amazed. All that corrosion comes right off and gets you down to the place where that Brasso or Brite Boy or whatever can actually do you some good. We found that the Lysol in the greenish blue bottle works better than the one in the white bottle. We got a 3 pack at Costco and cleaned every piece of old brass in the boat. Just pour it on (its thick) let it sit for a couple of minutes and then go after it with a brush of some kind, old tooth brushes work great. Wear rubber gloves. And if you need to remove lacquer, just take the lamp or whatever apart and boil it first in water with some white vinegar added to it. I bought a big soup pot at Goodwill to use just for this purpose.
Good luck and gleaming brass to you!!!
Becky
Good luck and gleaming brass to you!!!
Becky
Hi Becky and Lance,
After reading the ad for the Triton on Lats & Atts and reading your blog, I've come to realize we have a bit in common. I'm a Maryland resident trying to finish a 30' catamaran someone else started. It isn't a hurricane boat like your CD 22 but it might as well be. It's my first project boat and, boy oh boy, have I learned plenty the hard way.
Anyway, you seem very resourceful and, with all of your previous experience, very knowledgeable. I am wondering if you have one or more local sources for supplies and/or used parts, other than the typical Bacons, etc. I am looking, as an example, for a 13 or 14 foot boom. If there's something you need to find I may know where to look, also.
Best Wishes,
Mike
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Unfortunately, this will be our first boat restoration since we have lived in Maryland. We moved here from San Diego, CA just 3 years ago. There is a gem of a place in Newport Beach, CA called Minney's Yacht Salvage. We scored a LOT of gear there. As far as a boom, I would check out Dwyer. They have everything spar and rigging wise and their prices are very reasonable. I have read many good comments about them on the Cape Dory board. There is also a website for a used gear place that has spars and masts, it is called "Sailorman". Here is their address http://www.sailorman.com/newsailor/base/mast.php
I have bought (and sold) a lot of gear over the years on eBay. Since I am almost addicted to eBay anyway, keeping an eye on the listings are no chore for me. Marine swap meets (and there are usually plenty in the spring - check the "Spinsheet") can be a good place to find used gear too. And don't overlook posting "Stuff Wanted" ads on the sailboat message boards. Good Old Boat has a website that lists used gear sources, check this page: http://images.google.com/imgresimgurl=http://www.goodoldboat.com/classifieds/FrederickCorey.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.goodoldboat.com/classifieds.html&h=372&w=678&sz=96&tbnid=OXWzQ0zlRUsJ:&tbnh=75&tbnw=137&hl=en&ei=BgrAQ_3gDMLgigHptaXfCQ&sig2=HjzykADhsPjtsxZrGv4EDw&start=1&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbristol%2B27%2Bweekender%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26rls%3DRNWE,RNWE:2005-48,RNWE:en
I have been checking into wood sources for the toe rail and rub strake that we need to replace, we are going to use a place in Frederick called Hard Woods Inc. I will let you know how that works out. For sails, we got one sail from the Sail Warehouse, and Ullman is making 2 others for us. We used Ullman several times in California and were always pleased with the price, quality and service. I hope our experience will be the same here.
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Thanks for the heads up. I have never used snobowl, but we have been using the Lysol for several years now and have never had any problem with it. We do not leave it on for any amount of time though. We just pour it on, scrub it around with a brush and rinse it off.
Becky
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becky be careful what you use on brass it can pit it. that said.
snobowl will get rust off white fiberglass decks as pretty much any thing else.. you do not leave it long though.
you can get used gear at the dania, fla flea market in april.
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