Clean Brass
Tips on How to Clean Brass
If you have objects made out of brass, you will definitely want to know how to clean brass. The reason that tarnish is such a major problem with brass is that this material is an alloy of zinc and copper. As soon as air hits brass it will begin to tarnish, though a finish is used on most brass objects to help prevent this from happening so quickly.
Of course the major problem with brass, as well as most other types of metals, is tarnish and removing that tarnish. There are several commercial cleaners that will clean brass, but once the tarnish has been removed it is important that another chemical be used on the metal to help prevent a reoccurrence of tarnish buildup.
One of the biggest mistakes someone can make when they clean brass is to overuse commercial polishes. This has a tendency to cause a lot of smudging on the metal, plus it doesn’t really offer more protection. The only way to get protection from tarnish is with a lacquer. You can apply lacquer at home, but it is important to remove the old coating before adding a new one. Another method of making brass shine without using too much polish is to use olive oil. First use a small amount of polish on the brass, and then rub it down with a rag that has been dipped in olive oil. This provides a great shine without using a lot of polish.
If your brass does not have a coat of lacquer it will tarnish quickly, but as long as you clean brass on a regular basis this shouldn’t matter too much. Simply wipe down the brass with ammonia cleaner; this will remove tarnish and help keep your brass shiny. You may also choose to use a commercial cleaner available at most stores. No matter what type of cleaner you are using, you will want to be careful when cleaning antique brass. Always test an area of the metal before you clean brass that is very old. You don’t want to cause damage by using harsh cleaners. The reason for this is that the cleaner will clean the brass, but it will also remove the coloring of old brass, which is something you don’t want to do with an antique.
A safer method to clean brass that is antique is to use a gentle soap and water as a way to remove dirt and grime. When the brass is clean you can then use linseed oil to remove any remaining grime. When the brass is dry you can polish it with a clean, dry cloth. This cleaning method is gentle and safe for antique brass, and far more desirable than using harsh cleaners.
If you have antique brass that has a lot of tarnish buildup it will require a more aggressive cleaning. One of the best methods of cleaning old brass with a lot of tarnish is to use a vinegar and salt mixture, rubbing it into the metal. This should remove the tarnish so that you can polish with a dry cloth.
For brass fireplace accessories cleaning can be a real problem. The usual method to clean brass often doesn’t work. In this case you will need to use steel wool pads to remove the grime. It is important that you only clean in one direction so that you are not scratching the metal in a way that will be noticeable.
Clean brass that is polished to perfection is beautiful, and it doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think.