Rick W Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 How do you clean the patina off the the glovebox data plates so you can actually read them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrettkitt Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 If you didn't want to remove the top layer you could always try placing a piece of paper over the plate and rubbing with a crayon or a pencil. All the knobbly bits would stand out then... If its a mess of corrosion thats probably a none starter but its nice and easy to do without resorting to a polish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero-Five-Two Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Would depend on what they are made of. All the plates on my Militant are brass, so a quick soak in nitromors then several hours of Brasso, (well 5 minuites on the polishing wheel, actually) bought them up a treat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadline Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 As stated the plate material will be the biggest factor. Brass: any store bought brass cleaner. some even say to use vinegar. Zinc: you can polish it with a rubber eraser, or any very fine polish with a cloth wheel. Data plates were etched (both copper and zinc) so you will most likely have to paint it again. My advice: DON'T CLEAN IT!!!!!!!! The NUMBER ONE reason items lose value is becuase the original finish has been removed. Firearms are one collectible where finish is everything. An original blued finish.. even when less that 50% of original is still WAY MORE COLLECTIBLE then if reblued. Most data plates are available as reproductions.... an accurate jeep reproduction data plate (brass, as on my 42 GPW) is less than $30. My originals are in a display on the wall. The repro's are on the glove box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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