Is it rust, or brass, and what do I do?

[HowdeeDoodee]

I have small chromed pieces with the chrome having been plated over brass. The pieces are from a vintage drum set made over 40 years ago. The chrome was gray with large pits showing. I used Turtle Wax Rust Remover and Chrome Polish to see what I was dealing with. The chrome polish brought out a true mirror shine but under a magnifying glass I can see tiny pits. I also see what look like a brownish material sort of appearing beneath the current sine on the plating. A magnifying glass also shows zillions of little indentations or pits in on the surface. I cannot tell by looking at the piece whether the brownish stuff is rust or brass. The color of the brownish stuff is somewhere in between brown and brass in color.

Is the brownish stuff rust, brass, or something else?
Is there a way to polish out the brownish stuff and leave the shiny mirror finish untouched by the removal of the brown stuff?
What do I do if I want to brush plate over the piece?

[mpierich]

Originally Posted by HowdeeDoodee

I have small chromed pieces with the chrome having been plated over brass. The pieces are from a vintage drum set made over 40 years ago. The chrome was gray with large pits showing. I used Turtle Wax Rust Remover and Chrome Polish to see what I was dealing with. The chrome polish brought out a true mirror shine but under a magnifying glass I can see tiny pits. I also see what look like a brownish material sort of appearing beneath the current sine on the plating. A magnifying glass also shows zillions of little indentations or pits in on the surface. I cannot tell by looking at the piece whether the brownish stuff is rust or brass. The color of the brownish stuff is somewhere in between brown and brass in color.

Is the brownish stuff rust, brass, or something else?
Is there a way to polish out the brownish stuff and leave the shiny mirror finish untouched by the removal of the brown stuff?
What do I do if I want to brush plate over the piece?

If it's truly plated brass, you're not seeing rust, you're seeing brass. Either that or dirt. I would try running an inconspicuous spot over a buffing wheel to see what happens. If it is brass showing thru, you'll need to polish the piece smooth then re-plate. For plating info go to the plating foum on this site.

[HowdeeDoodee]

Thank you for the response.

[jrow]

HowdeeDoodee,

If it were me I'd put a magnet of the piece and see if the original piece were steel or brass!
You could have a brass plating over steel or you could have brass pieces. The brass plating would be used under the chrome plating. I'm not sure whether you have chrome plated pieces or the plating could be nickle. Sounds more like nickle to me. All things to consider.

John

[mpierich]

Originally Posted by jrow

HowdeeDoodee,

If it were me I'd put a magnet of the piece and see if the original piece were steel or brass!
You could have a brass plating over steel or you could have brass pieces. The brass plating would be used under the chrome plating. I'm not sure whether you have chrome plated pieces or the plating could be nickle. Sounds more like nickle to me. All things to consider.

John

That's right, could be some copper on there as well. In any event with the pits it sounds like re=plating will be necessary.