Jack, if it is solid brass and you have a decent drill bit and the drill is turning the right direction, you should have no problem. I suspect you are not giving it enough forward pressure, it will not drill all by itself.
The rouge mentioned before would be similar to that made by Dico:
Brasso will polish brass well. You have to keep polishing it weekly to keep it nice and shiny.
A typical clear finish over brass is lacquer. Outdoors, that may give you a year, maybe longer, and it will tarnish again. Or try a SS kickplate.
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