How To Clean An Old Bugle Brass

Last year I transformed my historic butlers pantry with the assist of some night blue paint (see: Moody Midnight Pantry with Farrow & Ball Paint). The last footstep of this restoration project? Removing decades-worth of tarnish from the original brass hardware—all 36 pieces of it. I now consider myself an expert on how to polish brass.

Here's what I learned.

What y'all will need

for heavy tarnished brass like mine, remove the hardware before attem 9 — Above: For heavy tarnished brass similar mine, remove the hardware earlier attempting to polish information technology. Information technology's merely as well hard to practise a thorough job if it is nonetheless attached to your cabinets.

Supplies you'll demand:

White vinegar
Brass or metal shine such as Wenol Metallic Polish; $ix.66 at Amazon.
Gloves
Soft, clean cloths or rags
Mineral or linseed oil
Soft bristle brush (optional)
Protective surface roofing (optional)
Varnish or blast polish remover (optional)

1. Examination your metal.

you don\2\17;t need a powerful magnet to test the authenticity of your b 10 — Above: Y'all don't demand a powerful magnet to test the authenticity of your brass. I borrowed a simple one from my refrigerator.

Earlier you begin, confirm that your piece is indeed solid brass and not plate or some other gold-toned metal. To test, merely concur a magnet up to the surface. If it doesn't stick, you accept solid contumely. If it does, you most likely have plate. Make clean this only with soap and water.

2. Strip whatsoever lacquer.

the results of old varnish or stain, the brown discolorations on these two piec 11 — Above: The results of former varnish or stain, the brownish discolorations on these two pieces needed to exist cleaned with varnish remover.

Many modern brass surfaces are protected with a lacquer terminate. Even so, they can get tarnished. Y'all will not be able to effectively smoothen them until the varnish is removed.

Showtime, examine your piece; lacquered brass is more yellow, smooth, and shiny than unfinished contumely. To remove the lacquer, submerge your contumely slice in very hot water, which volition crusade the brass and the lacquer to expand. You may need to go and so far as to eddy your contumely object in a non-aluminum pot. Carefully, remove your slice from the h2o and let information technology cool. As it does so, the metallic will contract from the finish, and you should be able to skin the lacquer away. Y'all can also eliminate lacquer with varnish remover and a soft, clean material. Boom polish remover also works. For really sometime, stubborn lacquers, consider soaking your piece in the chemical remover for several hours. Never use an abrasive cleanser, wire brush, or steel wool, equally these volition scratch the metal.

3. Pre-clean.

Using hot, soapy water and a soft cloth or brush, clean away any dirt, food, or other deposits. For wax, try carefully pouring boiling water over the spill until information technology melts away. Dry thoroughly before you polish.

4. Polish the brass.

acids such as vinegar or lemon, even ketchup, can be used to clean brass. 12 — Higher up: Acids such as vinegar or lemon, even ketchup, can be used to clean brass.

A. Eco-Friendly Solution

I like to start with directly white vinegar, which is commonly all I demand to touch up a slice of mildly oxidized brass. To apply, just dip the end of a soft, make clean material into your vinegar and rub the brass until it shines. You tin also add 1 teaspoon salt to ane/4 cup of vinegar to heave the polishing effects. But make sure the salt is not too coarse, as it tin scratch the brass. Some people as well use lemon juice and salt in similar proportions. Others add together flour to their acid/salt combos to brand a paste which they get out on the contumely for 10 minutes, and so buff away.

You tin also soak your pieces in vinegar for several hours or even overnight. (I observe this bath to be a practiced first step when yous're dealing with heavily tarnished pieces similar my hardware.)

a good commercial cleaner is by far the fastest way to clean badly tarnished br 13 — Higher up: A skillful commercial cleaner is past far the fastest way to make clean desperately tarnished brass.

B. Commercial Polish

For more heavily oxidized brass, a commercial polish may be necessary. (As I mentioned above, I like to minimize the corporeality of elbow grease—and harsh chemicals—required, by beginning giving my brass an overnight soak in vinegar.) Working in a well-ventilated room, using gloves to protect your hands, apply a flake of commercial metal or contumely smoothen to your slice and gently rub with a dry, clean cloth. Practice not utilise a wet rag as the h2o volition dilute the chemical solution of the polish. Bonus tip: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas.