Degree of gloss on metal

[M. Demetrius]

When we get a new brass helmet, for example, it's almost a mirror finish on the outer surfaces. Somehow, I don't think a soldier in the field could keep his brass that shiny, especially after a while of use. So what degree of "shininess" would be realistic? Like what you would get from, say, 4-0 steel wool?

Wood ashes will give a pretty good gloss, but not really mirror-like, to metals, is that the right amount of shine?

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Well, I 'shine' my Gallic 'G' with a combination of abrasive scrub pads, and on occassion a brillo pad, no gloss shine, but does get rid of the rust.

[Matt Lukes]

Well you can get a decent shine from rough metal with some simple abrasives, but the mirror-polish most commercial objects come with is way off. For fixing swords and helmets, I've found starting with very high grit wet sandpaper, followed by fine steel wool does well, wood ash, as you suggested Dave, is probably one of the finer abrasives that'd have been available (can't think of anything moreso actually), so might just represent the best that could be achieved in general- particularly in the field or in a garrison, there'd be a lot around and doubtless no facilities for super pulverisation of any other abrasive...

[Hibernicus]

I have found several different coating materials on brass helmets. Plastic or polymer sealants to any of a variety of metal polishers/sealers. We once received some brass helmets that the plastic bag had melded to! Figured it was some sort of chem reaction or the plastic sealant wasn't dry enough.

Once you clean off the modern protective layering...

Talc and oil (on a sea sponge, raw wool, or coarse woven cloth bit) with a great deal of elbow grease can bring up quite a shine on brass or bronze.

We grind our own pumice for something coarser. A good source of pumice stone that can be ground fine to very fine is a pool supply store or restaurant supply.. they sell bricks of pumice for cleaning purposes

But, for a very shiny finish, tin it!

:wink:

[Matt Lukes]

Ah, yes, talc is a good idea- lots of that around a marble quarry

[Gaius_Calvus]

David,

I know just what you mean. I have found that the new brass helmets are also lacquered in addition to having a mirror polish.

I remove the lacquer with a commercial lacquer remover, then use green "Scotch-Brite" pads and/or sandpaper as Matt suggests to get a finish I like.

It saves a lot of time if you remove the lacquer first.

Edge

[Tarbicus]

I have found that the new brass helmets are also lacquered in addition to having a mirror polish.

Edge, I've found the brass helmets were always lacquered. Paint stripper works really well also.

First thing I do with any helmet is take to it with a pan scouring pad (in fact scabbards, blades, everything gets a scouring). Still bright, and because the reflection is soft the colour shows up better, as well as it actually seems brighter.

[jkaler48]

Yes Deepeeka aqnd others need to have two models of each of the brass
helmets.
A display model
and a reenactment model.

[M. Demetrius]

What would the difference be, John?

[jkaler48]

What would the difference be, John?

Display model; Highly polished with modern coatings to prevent tarnish
for the "look at my neat item' collector trade.

Reenactment model; Polish only as stated in other posts - no protective
coatings to remove. I think most on this board would agree this would be
more historically accurate.

A lot of gear is not ready to go "out of the box: and some even requires
rebuilding to stand up under even light use. I just finished a Christmas
parade with gear falling apart just walking for a little while. Pugio rings
coming off the scabbard , Glaius scabbards coming apart - Again stuff made for the "look at my neat stuff" trade.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

That and the old 'cheek piece fastener ring flying off as you hurry to tie your helmet on after centurio calls a surprise muster... :roll: '

It would be nice if they actually soldered these rings shut.

[M. Demetrius]

Sometimes they are soldered, but they break anyhow. Soldering does not equal welding or brazing, but it's faster and easier.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

True, brazing is better, but so far all of mine seem to be open rings.
So even super glue would be an improvement!

[jkaler48]

Example of too well polished Bronze helmet:
I don't know if it is coated as well but the mirror polish screams "Modern Tech"

[M. Demetrius]

I agree with your assessment. My real question is, just how shiny could a soldier keep his helmet. I believe they would keep the oxidation off, but since mirror finish is out, how shiny would it be? I'm thinking of taking some wood ashes, putting them in a wool bag, and trying to polish up some brass and steel, first wetting the bag.

I'll let you know how it works.