Brass Cleaning Solutions

Brass is a common alloy that is principally made up of zinc and copper. Sometimes, other metals are also added to this alloy to increase its durability. The only reason that it is used in the production of many home applications is that it is highly malleable and also ductile as compared to zinc and copper. It is sometimes also used to make utensils for eating and cooking.

Let us first get acquainted with the agents that are commonly used to clean brass.

• Brasso: It can be effectively used to clean the surfaces that are lightly tarnished.
• Colonial Metal Polish: It is proven to be very effective against the toughest layer of dirt. It provides a reasonable ease in cleaning such brass, as it contains a very fine amount of abrasives.

• Gillespie: Gillespie or rather Gillespie's, as it is commonly known, is a brass cleaning kit that is made up of three parts. The kit is especially effective when the brass has not been cleaned for a very long period. While using this kit it is essential to follow the guidelines and directions.

• Noxon: With the help of Noxon, the tarnish disappears with just a soft cloth and a delicate hand.
• Parks: This cleaning agent can be used to remove tarnish in a two-step cleaning process. Parks is an excellent weapon against heavy tarnish.
• Tarn-X: It is very effective when it comes to light cleaning.

• Red Bear: Red Bear is a kind of agent that is first applied on the brass surface and is then washed off. It is one of the most widely used cleaning agents and is almost universally available.
• Wenol: Wenol is available in a tube-like structure, like that of a toothpaste. This agent is neutral in nature and does not affect the surface of brass.

• Soft rags that are preferably made of cotton.
• Paint or varnish remover.
• Clear lacquer.
• A mild detergent and clean water.
• Newspaper, rubber gloves, and a magnet.
• Brass polish.

• Step 1: Assemble all the requirements on one plain surface and lay them down on a newspaper, so as to protect the surface from any corrosion or reaction. The procedure can sometimes get pretty messy.

• Step 2: At times, it so happens that a particular object looks like brass. However, the manufacturer might have just coated it with a layer of brass in order to give it an added charm. One can determine if the object is made up of brass or not by using the magnet.

If the magnet gets attracted to the object then it is not brass. Avoid using any abrasive agent on this object. However, if the magnet does not get attracted to the object, it is brass.

• Step 3: Prepare a mild solution with water and a small amount of detergent. Wash the brass thoroughly with this solution and wipe clean all dirt with the help of cotton rags. If you are lucky enough, the luster of the object may get restored at this stage.

• Step 4: At times, a thin layer of lacquer is formed over brass objects. This coat is present on the surface to protect it from oxidation. Washing off the lacquer, helps in getting rid of large amounts of tarnish and dirt. You can also use a homemade brass cleaner for this purpose.

• Step 5: Use the polish to restore the charm of the object. Rubbing the polish in the direction of the grain always helps a lot. Make sure that you use the softest rags for this purpose.

• Step 6: Buffing the surface with a soft rag helps a lot. You will need to rub the surface gradually and patiently to make it shine.
• Step 7: The last and most important step is to re-apply the coat of lacquer in order to prevent oxidation. To do this, spray it on the surface and let it dry.

Remember to wear rubber gloves during the entire process. If you do not use gloves, fingerprints appear quickly on the surface, and the whole process has to be redone again.