Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
- Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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How do I clean tarnished brass?
Q. I am trying to polish several brass knobs with 80+ years of tarnish. What is the easiest/ quickest way to clean and polish?
Lori [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Minnesota, USA [city deleted for privacy by Editor]
2002
A. I used to do this type of work but no longer. I do not suggest you attempt this your self. The tarnish need to be removed with acid and then the metal buffed to a luster and then lacquered sealed.
Jon Quirt- Fridley, Minnesota
A. Sodium cyanide solution (5-7%) will be an effective anti-tarnishing solution. After immersing in this solution for 5 minutes there may be a need of buffing it with green and red jeweler's rouge ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] compounds.
Venkat Raja- Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
A. This may surprise you. Mix Salt and vinegar ⇦in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil links] into a paste. Allow your brass to soak in the solution for 1 hour. It's a miracle. Forget the acid treatment and plating. This works. Guaranteed.
E. Jones- Springfield, Ohio
2002
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