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Question about Henry's brass polish for the Big Boy

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CurtZHP
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Question about Henry's brass polish for the Big Boy

Post by CurtZHP » Fri Sep 28, 2018 5:36 pm

Some months ago I bought a bottle of Henry's Big Boy polish for my .45LC.
It's entirely possible that the rag I used may have had some contamination on it prior to my using it to polish the receiver, but I noticed at certain angles the receiver appears pretty scratched up. Lots of very fine scratches. And I baby this thing! After every shoot, I put the little fleece sock over the receiver and it goes back in the case. When cleaning, I'm super careful with the tools, chemicals, and other materials. I've since switched to a brand new microfiber cloth, and the receiver is nice and shiny. I can see myself in it, but I can also see a bunch of scratches.

Instructions were minimal at best, so I basically just put a little on the cloth and rub gently in a circular motion, then wipe clean with the clean end of the cloth. Is it my technique?

Am I stuck with the scratches, or will further polishing help?
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Mags
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Re: Question about Henry's brass polish for the Big Boy

Post by Mags » Fri Sep 28, 2018 11:16 pm

.
Cloth containing microfiber, polyester, nylon and other synthetics leave fine, tiny scratches in brass. I will only use Renaissance Wax with 100% cotton cloth on my brass. Others like to use a silicone laced cloth, which I have no experience with. Car waxes, carnauba, beeswax, etc eventually dull (patina) the brass. Anything with ammonia eventually dulls the brass, making it harder to keep shiny.

You might find this "Scratches" topic of interest http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=4630
and some specific postings there:
http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... nce#p63298
http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... =10#p63501
http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... =10#p63517
http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... =10#p63510 removes bluing.
CurtZHP wrote:Some months ago I bought a bottle of Henry's Big Boy polish for my .45LC.
It's entirely possible that the rag I used may have had some contamination on it prior to my using it to polish the receiver, but I noticed at certain angles the receiver appears pretty scratched up. Lots of very fine scratches. And I baby this thing! After every shoot, I put the little fleece sock over the receiver and it goes back in the case. When cleaning, I'm super careful with the tools, chemicals, and other materials. I've since switched to a brand new microfiber cloth, and the receiver is nice and shiny. I can see myself in it, but I can also see a bunch of scratches.

Instructions were minimal at best, so I basically just put a little on the cloth and rub gently in a circular motion, then wipe clean with the clean end of the cloth. Is it my technique?

Am I stuck with the scratches, or will further polishing help?
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UPDATES: OR passes 114, "one of strictest gun control measures in U.S." https://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic. ... 34#p213234

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Re: Question about Henry's brass polish for the Big Boy

Post by Mistered » Sat Sep 29, 2018 12:00 am

with 100% cotton cloth on my brass.
Ditto with cotton only on brass.
a 'Bunch of scratches' as you mention can be subjective. You say they are very fine and that might be due to the other than cotton cloth you are using.
Polishing metal can be an art and depending on what you are looking for exactly it can take multiple applications of different compounds of varying grades to get a scratch free finish.
One of the best products I have ever used is Never-Dull wadding polish. It comes in a can and is a ground up cotton material impregnated with a cleaning chemical.
You simply pull out the amount you need and start polishing and throw away when done.
I have been using it for years on a variety of brass items to include my 1851 Navy .36 frame and trigger guard and I can honestly say when finished the brass appears scratch free and with a high shine. I need a new can myself and maybe I'll pick it up tomorrow and polish my BBB and report the results.
Bottom line is brass is delicate (especially when polished to a high shine) and it's not really realistic to expect something like a brass frame Henry to to stay 100% scratch free - especially if it is being used.
Hey, trust me - I am a FANATIC about gun finish and do my best to keep mine as new as possible but I am also a realist who shoots often and mostly in the field with varying degrees of dust and debris so keeping it minimized is my accepted course of action.
I am already CRINGING at the thought of any blue wear on a S&W Mod 27 I am looking at that has beautiful finish. While very nice for a used gun it IS used and I need to keep that in mind and will simply do my best to keep it as nice as possible as it will be shot a LOT!
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Re: Question about Henry's brass polish for the Big Boy

Post by Mags » Sat Sep 29, 2018 11:44 am

.
Which brand of Nevr-Dull Wadding Polish? Basch or Eagle?
Mistered wrote:
with 100% cotton cloth on my brass.
Ditto with cotton only on brass.
... One of the best products I have ever used is Never-Dull wadding polish. ...
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UPDATES: OR passes 114, "one of strictest gun control measures in U.S." https://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic. ... 34#p213234

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Re: Question about Henry's brass polish for the Big Boy

Post by Mistered » Sat Sep 29, 2018 4:26 pm

Which brand of Nevr-Dull Wadding Polish? Basch or Eagle?
The original
http://nevrdull.com/
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Re: Question about Henry's brass polish for the Big Boy

Post by CurtZHP » Sat Sep 29, 2018 8:42 pm

Mags wrote:.
Cloth containing microfiber, polyester, nylon and other synthetics leave fine, tiny scratches in brass. I will only use Renaissance Wax with 100% cotton cloth on my brass. Others like to use a silicone laced cloth, which I have no experience with. Car waxes, carnauba, beeswax, etc eventually dull (patina) the brass. Anything with ammonia eventually dulls the brass, making it harder to keep shiny.

You might find this "Scratches" topic of interest http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=4630
and some specific postings there:
http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... nce#p63298
http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... =10#p63501
http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... =10#p63517
http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... =10#p63510 removes bluing.
CurtZHP wrote:Some months ago I bought a bottle of Henry's Big Boy polish for my .45LC.
It's entirely possible that the rag I used may have had some contamination on it prior to my using it to polish the receiver, but I noticed at certain angles the receiver appears pretty scratched up. Lots of very fine scratches. And I baby this thing! After every shoot, I put the little fleece sock over the receiver and it goes back in the case. When cleaning, I'm super careful with the tools, chemicals, and other materials. I've since switched to a brand new microfiber cloth, and the receiver is nice and shiny. I can see myself in it, but I can also see a bunch of scratches.

Instructions were minimal at best, so I basically just put a little on the cloth and rub gently in a circular motion, then wipe clean with the clean end of the cloth. Is it my technique?

Am I stuck with the scratches, or will further polishing help?

Lots of great advice. Thanks!
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Re: Question about Henry's brass polish for the Big Boy

Post by RanchRoper » Sat Sep 29, 2018 9:00 pm

...or just let it go to a nice saddle worn patina like my brass is starting to do.... :)
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Re: Question about Henry's brass polish for the Big Boy

Post by GFK » Sat Sep 29, 2018 9:37 pm

Mistered wrote:
Which brand of Nevr-Dull Wadding Polish? Basch or Eagle?
The original
http://nevrdull.com/
Reminds me of the type we used on ships. It did make things look pretty. But once started, it was always something to do. Dull brass was not an option. It had to shine all of the time.
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Re: Question about Henry's brass polish for the Big Boy

Post by Mags » Sat Sep 29, 2018 11:59 pm

EagleOne Nevr-Dull also claims to be the 'Original'. Not sure what to make of that. Saw some internet posts that said Basch makes it for Eagle One, but I have doubts about that. When I looked up the MSDSs the chemical make up is a little bit different between the two. I actually wouldn't use either one regularly on brass => http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... gle#p63298
Mistered wrote:
Which brand of Nevr-Dull Wadding Polish? Basch or Eagle?
The original [Basch]
http://nevrdull.com/
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UPDATES: OR passes 114, "one of strictest gun control measures in U.S." https://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic. ... 34#p213234

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