Mouprise.com

How to Clean Old Brass Carbide Miners Lamps

Brass carbide miners lamps are popular with cavers. Modern reproductions are available, but many people like to get genuine vintage models to use. If the lamps are not in working order, they still make a beautiful display. Old brass polishes very well. Some retired miners collect them.

To clean the lamp, you will need the following:

* Glass Cooktop Cleaner

* brass

* chrome cleaner

* Hair dryer

* Old toothbrush

* Old t-shirts

When I start to clean an old brass lamp, I remove the flint from the striker. which is in the reflector. Simply unscrew the cap and turn the lamp over and the flint and spring should fall into your hand. Then I empty the fuel tank and wash it with water.

If you want your Vintage Brass Miners Lamp to retain an aged patina after cleaning, try using glass cooktop cleaner and an old toothbrush. First rub the lamp with the glass cleaner, using the toothbrush to clean the cracks, then rinse with water.

After rinsing off all the cleaner, dry the lamp parts with a hair dryer on low heat. It takes me about 45 minutes to clean the brass part of the flashlight.

If you want your brass to shine like new, use Brasso. It works very well! Brasso is also abrasive, so be careful what you rub.

When you’re done with the brass, it will be a shiny coppery brown. Some people like to use Limeaway to speed up work, but not me. It will save you some scrubbing, but if you leave the lamp in the solution too long, the brass will turn pink.

To clean the reflector, I use a chrome cleaner (available at auto parts stores) and rub it clean with an old t-shirt.

When you’re done, buff the entire lap with clean t-shirt material, then put it back together. You will be very satisfied with the results!