cleaning brass

Nancy Howell · Oct 5, 2017

I have a heavily tarnished brass bed I am trying to clean up. I've been using Brasso, but its very slow. Anyone know of a better cleaner/polisher?

Pete_5959 · Oct 5, 2017

Remove tarnish with FLITZ Brass and Copper Tarnish Remover and shine up with dura glit.

r/

Pete in NC

Janicholson · Oct 5, 2017

Try DuPont #7 Auto Polish. Jim

WayneLee · Oct 5, 2017

Liquid Bar Keepers friend

kcm.MN · Oct 5, 2017

One more for your list is Nevr Dull Magic Wadding Polish. Comes in short metal cans, when you can find it. It's raw cotton that has been treated with something to cut through to the metal. The blacker it gets, the better it's workin', so use disposable gloves. :wink:

https://www.amazon.com/George-Basch...1507237157&sr=8-3&keywords=never+dull

casecollectorsc · Oct 5, 2017

I cleaned a brass and copper fire extinguisher for my wife with muratic acid. Wicked stuff that you don't want on your skin or breath the fumes. I took it outside and poured it over the extinguisher. Worked better on the copper but the brass was clean also and then polished the whole thing. Maybe try a small spot first. Can buy it in gallons at Menards for etching concrete. Flushed with water when done.

NCWayne · Oct 5, 2017

Used the stuff in the Navy. It's
amazing what it will do to a piece of
tarnished brass.

jeffcat · Oct 5, 2017

Down in the casino bars they use Barkeepers friend. I swear by it. Make a nice thick paste of it and use those green scrub pads they sell at the flea market. Not Scothbrite cause it will scratch. The cheap ones for dinner plates that are just that plastic mesh. I don't like brasso because it has ammonia in it. Ammonia makes brass brittle! Buy the way...you want to push this bed out into the yard so you can hose it down afterwards. You can spray it with a clear acrylic laquer after you are done. You can also try some Brillo pad to cut the crud. Brillo is a 4 Oooo steel wool. Try it first where you will not notice. I was just at 5he Hershey car show to day and the guy I buy wax and such from has a fantastic cleaner for metal. I will post the 800 number later tonight.

3000OH · Oct 5, 2017

But don't set the rest of the gallon jug inside because everything near it will rust. Look at the shelving & legs near where it's stored at the big box store. It is truly nasty stuff. I bought a gallon, used maybe a quart for derusting & I think I used 7 boxes of baking soda just to neutralize that "used up" quart.

Bob Harvey · Oct 5, 2017

Ditto - great stuff - wear gloves.

Stephen Newell · Oct 5, 2017

If you would take it out of the house you could use rubbing compound and a auto polisher. It won't get in crevasses but you could use brasso on those spots.

Patrick Klise · Oct 5, 2017

Absolutely the best copper/brass polishing agent is Simichrome. It comes in a small tube (like toothpaste).It's hard to find but sure you can find it on-line.And..it's not inexpensive.

WAYNE-N-TX · Oct 5, 2017

I was a MP in the service, I spent half my time shining boots and polishing brass, must be a better way than in 1967. Had to shave during lunch BECAUSE!!!!!!!! Good luck.

caterpillar guy · Oct 5, 2017

Most any of the chrome polishes from a truck stop will shine it up. The Never-Dull is available in truck stops also. Could try some vinegar to clean it with. The acid would clean the tarnish off if it could soak for the appropriate time.

Steven-Id · Oct 5, 2017

You can actually get nevr dull at walmart also.

Steven

jeffcat · Oct 5, 2017

Here is the number. He had the bottles of cleaner there but I didn't buy any. The stuff is $12.oo a bottle and Really works. I use his wax and that stuff is very good too.

donjr · Oct 5, 2017

Nancy, try putting the items into a solution of lemon juice overnight. You may be surprised......

Nancy Howell · Oct 6, 2017

Sounds like a good idea, but kinda hard to soak a brass bed in lemon juice.

merlynr · Oct 6, 2017

A few years ago I sort of restored an old cabinet with brass knobs and hinges. Someone told me to soak them in sudsy ammonia a couple of days. The knobs and hinges had paint and dirt on them and after 2-3 days most of it was in the bottom of container. I was pleasantly surprised.

showcrop · Oct 6, 2017

If you decide to use any acid be very careful about how fast it works. Acids can etch brass so that along with the tarnish a little brass comes off too taking the shine with it.

Frank 41 · Oct 6, 2017

In the army we used Brasso.

guido · Oct 6, 2017

Hello Nancy Howell,

I used wire wheel mounted in my bench grinder, thick brass though. Years of tarnish brushed away. It will be time consuming if you can do if at all in place. My wheel worked fine with its very soft bristles, so no scratch marks.....Worked for me. I cleaned these andirons to match my fireplace tools. I have no before pics!

Guido.

cleaning brass

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Similar threads