Cleaning Brass

Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, is used for creating a large number of decorative pieces, mainly owing to its bright gold-like appearance. Apart from that, it is also used in plumbing and electrical applications, musical instruments and even in applications that require low friction, like locks, gears, bearings, ammunition and valves. Though brass objects are exceptionally good, they start losing their gold-like appearance after sometime. The good part is that you can restore the original appearance of brass object, easily and conveniently, by cleaning them up in the right way. With this article, check out some simple tips for cleaning brass.

How To Clean Brass

Items Needed

Newspaper
Mild Detergent
Water
Soft Rags/ Sponge
Paint/Varnish Remover
Brass Polish
Clear Lacquer
Rubber Gloves

Instructions

Cleaning brass is going to create a lot of mess. So, it is better to spread some newspaper on the work surface.
In case your brass object is not too dirty, you can clean it with the help of a simple soap solution.
Take a mug of water and add a few drops of detergent to it.
Get a soft rag or sponge and dampen it with the soap solution.
Now, wipe down the brass object with the rag/sponge.
In case your brass object has been affected with lacquer coating, use a paint or varnish remover for the same.
Take a sponge and put a few drops of paint/ varnish remover on it.
Now, wipe down the brass object with the rag/sponge.
After your brass object is clean, it is the time to polish it.
Buy brass polish from the market and apply it on the object, with the help of a clean, soft cloth.
Make sure to apply the polish in the direction of the brass grain.
Now, buff the object with a clean, soft rag. Continue to do so till the time the object starts shining.
In order to prevent exposure of brass to air and oxidation, re-lacquer it.
Take a lacquer spray and spray several thin coats on the object.
Leave the object for some time, so that the lacquer spray dries off completely.

Tips

Before cleaning your brass piece, determine whether it is solid brass or brass-plated steel, by putting a small magnet on the piece. If the magnet falls, it is solid brass, else it is brass plated steel.
It is best to use a micro-fiber cloth to clean brass. Simply put some elbow grease onto it, buff the area hard and you are done.
Ketchup and Worcestershire sauce are also great materials to clean your brass. Using a clean, damp cloth, rub the surface of the brass with the sauce and wipe it again with a clean cloth.
A natural way to clean brass comprises of lemon and salt. Simply cut a lemon into half and coat it with table salt. Now, rub the salt-coated lemon over the brass. Recoat the lemon with salt, if required. Using a clean, dry cloth, buff the brass to a shine.
Bring back the brass shine and break apart any nasty stains by rubbing it with mineral oil.
Rub plain yoghurt on the brass, with a clean cloth or with your fingers and let it dry. Then buff off the yoghurt with a clean, dry cloth.

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