Brass Cleaning Solutions
Brass objects add a charming look to the rooms in which they are kept. These attractive objects are not only show pieces but are also very useful. Sometimes the brass is also used to make utensils for eating and cooking. Before we know how to clean brass, we must know what it is made up of.
What is Brass?
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 brass is used in the production of many home applications is that it is highly malleable and also ductile as compared to zinc and copper.
Brass Cleaning Solutions
Before we begin with the actual procedure of cleaning brass, let us get acquainted with the commonly used agents that are used to clean the brass.
- Brasso: Brasso is a cleaning agent that can be effectively used to clean the surfaces that are lightly tarnished.
- Colonial Metal Polish: The colonial metal polish is very effective against the tough 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: Tarn-X 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, that of a toothpaste. This agent is neutral in nature and does not affect the surface of brass.
Requirements
To clean a brass object you will need the following things:
- 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.
This method of cleaning brass is relatively easy and can also be followed by small children.
- 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. Cleaning the brass, 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 the help of 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 brass objects carry a thin layer that is known as lacquer. This coat is present on the surface to protect the brass 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 brass 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 brass 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 the most important step is to re-apply the coat of lacquer in order to prevent oxidation. To re-apply the lacquer, spray it on the brass surface and let it dry.
