| Brass carbide miners lamps are popular with | | | | First scrub the lamp with the glass cleaner, using |
| cavers. There are modern reproductions available, | | | | the toothbrush to clean the crevices,then rinse |
| but many people like to get genuine vintage | | | | with water. |
| models to use. If the lamps aren't in working | | | | After you get all the cleaner rinsed off, dry the |
| condition, they still make a lovely display. The old | | | | lamp parts with a hair dryer set on low. It takes |
| brass polishes up nicely. Some retired miners | | | | me about 45 minutes to clean the brass part of |
| collect them. | | | | the lantern. |
| To clean the lamp, you'll need the following: | | | | If you want your brass to shine like new, use |
| * Glass stove top cleaner | | | | Brasso. It works really well! Brasso is also |
| * Brasso | | | | abrasive, so be careful how much you rub. |
| * Chrome cleaner | | | | When you are done with the brass it will be a |
| * Hair dryer | | | | shiny brassy brown. Some people like to use |
| * Old tooth brush | | | | Limeaway to speed up the job, but I don't. It will |
| * Old tee shirts | | | | save you a little scrubbing but if you leave the |
| When I start cleaning an old brass lamp, I remove | | | | lamp in the solution too long the brass will turn |
| the flint from the striker. which is located on the | | | | pink. |
| reflector. Just unscrew the cap and turn the lamp | | | | To clean the reflector, I use chrome cleaner |
| over and the flint and spring should fall out into | | | | (available from auto parts stores) and rub until |
| your hand. Then I empty the fuel tank and flush it | | | | clean with an old tee-shirt. |
| out with water. | | | | When you're finished, buff the entire lap with |
| If you want your Vintage Brass Miners Lamp to | | | | clean tee-shirt material, and then reassemble it. |
| retain an aged patina after it's clean, try using | | | | You'll be quite pleased with the results! |
| glass stove top cleaner and an old tooth brush. | | | | |