This may seem a stupid question but I have various older Wheatley fly boxes a couple with the Hardy's plates on the lid. Is it ok to give them a clean up with for instance brasso just to remove old grime or should they be left untouched?

Personally, just soap and water, nothing abrasive.

But, as they're yours, Brasso or, even better, Solvol would make them shine
Send me the Hardy ones before you do please.

__________________
“Let’s TACKLE Cancer” supporter

I just use washing up liquid and water on an OLD worn out scourer to clean the **** of old boxes.

Vac out any dust and eggs. Fill them with new flies, put them in your bag, or pockets, and use them. That will clean them up enough without turning them into bling.

richard

__________________
Who resides on the right bank of the Derbyshire Wye and is lulled to sleep each night by the mutterings of a weir, dreaming that "When the rivers and their inhabitants come first, we ALL win..."

Have to say I like the patina that they develop over the years,going an silver white with the odd colour fleck from spilt wine ,coffee and other colourants .
New ones look well just new with no character,the standard ones with no visible markings are easy to sort by the degree of patina and those odd stains.

__________________
Andy Wren
Winter grayling taking a year off !
Claret not just a great dubbing colour!

Andy you can't be talking about your own boxes because I have never seen you spill wine!

__________________
[COLOR="Blue"]"A fish seen is a fish nearly caught"[/COLOR]

Hi Rondo69

I iherited some old Wheatley fly boxes years ago and stupidly cleaned them with Brasso. It took the protective anodize coating off, back to the aluminum, and they looked awful.

Leave the character on them.


BK

Look at the below for some answers.... but try a little area first or a newer (less collectable box).

How to Clean Aluminum

__________________
Just My Tuppenceworth!!