Any ideas on how to make rusty brass shiny and clean again?
We have tried brasso, but it didn't work as well as expected. We are restoring a bathroom and all the faucets and fixtures are brass
2 answers
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Try, Tamarind paste solution and lime juice. Soak faucet in this solution for a while (1hour) then scrub gently. This is how I clean may antique brass lamps.
Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmotifs
on Apr 14, 2011
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Clean the parts with detergent and then dipped in muriatic acid for about one minute. Muriatic acid is dilute hydrochloric acid. The acid reacts with the metal oxide, dissolving the oxide into solution. However, it can also react with the metal itself and dissolve it, so the part should be removed after a short time. (Vinegar, or ethanoic acid, works well and is much safer, though results will take more than one minute. Ammonia solution also works well, and it will not react with the metal itself.) Do everything in a well ventillated area. The part is dipped into a buffer like sodium bicarbonate solution and then rinsed again thoroughly in water. (A mild base like ammonia solution could also be used in place of the buffer). rush the surface thoroughly, dipping the part in water with detergent while brushing. A brass wire wheel makes the job easy. Polishing takes place in two steps. First polish with a cotton wheel using tripoli a fine abrasive compound. Clean off the residue with lacquer thinner. Polish the surface to a mirror finish with another cotton wheel using rouge a very fine abrasive compound. I learned this as a young man shop! Thank Mr. Boss / Coach for this tip.
Hudson Designs
on Apr 14, 2011
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