Cleaning Lionel #69 crossing sign

[kpolak]

I just picked-up a Lionel #69 crossing sign, with a gold tone finish.  Sign looked a bit dingy, so I spent a little time with Wright's Silver Cream.  Brightened it right up, after about 20-minutes.

Now I'm not sure about long term effects, this thing might melt by the am, but it looks nice now.

Anyone else clean one of these things?

Kurt

[envfocus]

I have a couple of #68 Warning Signs, which has the same brass diamond as your #69.  I have used Brasso, but only a little is necessary.  This is a pretty "mild" cleaner.  The key is avoiding ammonia based or strong acid products.  These caustic products will actually dissolve the brass.  Other acidic compounds like citric acid or Maliec will not dissolve the brass.  These compounds attack the tarnish on the surface, loosens it, and you wipe it off.   I'm not familiar with Wrights Silver Cream, but if you used is sparringly and removed it rather quickly then I wouldn't worry too much.  After I cleaned mine, I used a black marker to redarken the lettering and sprayed the brass with a clear laquer to seal the deal.  Its been a while since I thought about this, but if memory serves me correct, you can search the web for homeade brass cleaners and you'll typically see some lemon (to create an acid) in the mix.  For me, Brasso worked just fine.

 

[kpolak]

I use the silver cream for my wife's grandmother's silver, this is even less abrasive than brasso.

Are these brass???  I thought I saw signs of rust starting on mine.

Kurt

[envfocus]

For the original prewar versions, the diamond sign is brass while the finial on top may be made of brass or nickel.  The brass can rust (oxidize), but the rust should look more like a green powder or growth rather than the typical reddish or brownish powder we call rust.  The number one thing one can do to prevent rust for our metal pieces is keep them away from any moisture.  To help keep rust away after cleaning, I sprayed the brass diamond with a clear laquer.

On another note, your small layout you've posted on another thread looks great!