I encountered a new challenge in the restoration of my Nishijin Model A single shot from the 50s.

The return tray/ashtray is pot metal. We all know what that fine material looks like after about 3 days (not to mention 50 years) of oxidation.

I was going to buff it out and use the same nickel plating procedure that I used on the spinners...

Late 50s restoration - sacrilege?

...but unfortunately this method doesn't work well on pot metal.

I discovered tonight that pot metal actually polishes up nice and shiny if you work at it hard enough, but I know it will turn grayish black in no time. Has anyone here ever clearcoated over bare pot metal to protect it from oxidation?
Crazy?