Restoring Brass Data Plate

[Recovry4x4]

Folks, The winch on my M275A2 is off a 1953 M35 and as such it has a brass data plate. Since installing a new OD Iron top channel, I need to reinstall the data plates. What is a fair way to de-tarnish the data plate without hitting it with abrasives. Don't want it polished, just cleaned up a bit. Once de-tarnished, is it a good idea to clearcoat it?
Thanks In Advance.

 

[WillWagner]

maybe try bon-ami cleanser or comet.

 

[rdixiemiller]

I used to de-tarnish brass with 1/2 a lemon dipped in some salt. It worked fine on an old naval brass cartridge case for a 5" gun.

 

[Jones]

See if you can find some stuff called Tarnex. Comes in a black bottle with white lettering. Dip the plate into it and right back out and rinse. See what you think. After cleaning try Krylon Clear; it's available in gloss, flat or satin.

 

[rdixiemiller]

Lots of the old brass tags had black laquer in the letters. Wipe on the black, the wipe off with a piece of card stock and some blotting paper. Leaves the black down in the stamped letters.