Brass Rust...Please help!

[LibbyL]

My John Whitaker breastplate has rusted horribly over the winter and looks pretty awful.

Any tips on getting the rust off the loops and buckles please? They are brass.

Please let me in on any tips and tricks

 

[Rowreach]

Are they solid brass? If so, very fine wet and dry sandpaper will do the trick.

 

[Sparkles]

Brasso? ☺️

 

[Rowreach]

Brasso won't get rid of the corrosion

 

[blitznbobs]

Brasso won't get rid of the corrosion

If it is brass and it has corroded then it's not safe. Brass corrosion oxidises the zinc in the metal leaving the copper only for structure... this has no strength therefore it would be dangerous to use tack in this state

 

[pennyturner]

If it has rusted, it isn't brass. Solid brass just goes darker over time. I have harness in use with brass fittings well over 100 years old!
Sometimes the buckle tongues are steel for strength. These rust and can be tackled carefully with a bit of wire wool. I find working KoChoLine into the buckles helps to free them if they are badly seized, and of course does the surrounding leather no harm.

 

[LibbyL]

It has been discontinued and replaced with one with silver fittings now but the advert just said brass fittings.

Brasso didnt touch it

I will try sandpaper and wire wool thank you

The clips attaching it to the saddle are fine so the only bit (apart from cosmetically) that would be a problem is the clip attaching the martingale attachment which looks to be the best out of all of it so not worried about using it just won't be getting any turnout points!