Polishing shell casings...advice wanted

[Kevinf2349]

My daughter has saved her first two shells (but just one shotgun shell) from every gun she shot while on vacation over here.

I want to make a nice wooden plinth and mount the shells on it for her. I was thinking a nice piece of cherry would do the trick.

I think I have the skill for the woodworking side of it but my question is what is a best way to polish the brass and then protect it from future tarnishing?

Any help would be most welcome.

[Oldgringo]

I've polished a lot of brass with Brasso. It's available wherever cleaning products are sold...maybe.

[CompVest]

I know that polished they would be very pretty but I think it would look neater if they were left in their dirty just fired state. This way there isn't any doubt that they were shot and not new ones put on display!

[Kevinf2349]

I know that polished they would be very pretty but I think it would look neater if they were left in their dirty just fired state. This way there isn't any doubt that they were shot and not new ones put on display!

Good idea. but still how do you stop them from tarnishing?

Can you use varnish to stop the tarnish or will it deminsh the finish (sorry I couldn't resist).

[MoJo]

+1 on Brasso as long as you aren't going to reload the shells. Clear lacquer will protect the shine.

[Kevinf2349]

I intended to screw them onto the plinth through the hole where the primer caps was so they will never be reloaded.

Any particular lacquer recommended or will any lacquer do

[davidtx]

Another option would be to cast them into acrylic and then mount that on the cherry base. It would seal the finish and be a lot easier to dust.

-davidtx

[Kevinf2349]

Another option would be to cast them into acrylic and then mount that on the cherry base. It would seal the finish and be a lot easier to dust.

-davidtx

Erm...pardon me for being dumb as a box of wrenches, but how do you do that?

[davidtx]

Another option would be to cast them into acrylic and then mount that on the cherry base. It would seal the finish and be a lot easier to dust.

-davidtx

Erm...pardon me for being dumb as a box of wrenches, but how do you do that?

I haven't done it personally. I took a quick look before posting and googling "casting in acrylic" returns lots of resources. If you go that route, I'd practice first.
Here's one site that looks like it has what you need: http://www.emsdiasum.com/microscopy/pro ... esins.aspx

[Kevinf2349]

Another option would be to cast them into acrylic and then mount that on the cherry base. It would seal the finish and be a lot easier to dust.

-davidtx

Erm...pardon me for being dumb as a box of wrenches, but how do you do that?

I haven't done it personally. I took a quick look before posting and googling "casting in acrylic" returns lots of resources. If you go that route, I'd practice first.
Here's one site that looks like it has what you need: http://www.emsdiasum.com/microscopy/pro ... esins.aspx

Cool...thanks.

[joe817]

I did that(collect brass cases) when I was a kid, & I mounted them on a board and took it to school for a science project. Didn't do to well, but all the kids in my class thought it was interesting.

I used brasso to polish the cases, then mom gave me a bottle of clear fingernail polish to keep them shiny and prevent tarnishing. Worked for me.

[MoJo]

I intended to screw them onto the plinth through the hole where the primer caps was so they will never be reloaded.

Any particular lacquer recommended or will any lacquer do

Any clear lacquer will do dipping the cases will give better coverage than spray.

[Dragonfighter]

Flitz is the best for cleaning and polishing brass, stainless...just about any metal and leaves a film which preserves the shine. If your not reloading then that would be fine. I second the dipping in lacquer suggestion.

IF you were reloading, ground pecan shells in a vibrating tub are excellent.