Want to start a brass dipping business- help!

A. Well, let's see, there are brain surgeons, heart surgeons, orthopedic surgeons and lot of other kinds. Dip does not say anything! water, hot water, acid, caustic, plating, paint or electropolish and dozens of other possibilities. It makes an unbelievable amount of difference if it is bronze, brass, silver, gold, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, zinc, nickel, cobalt and if an alloy, which one. After that, what is the final finish, bare or plated or anodized or lacquered? Provide enough of the proper information and you will still probably be referred to a professional shop in your mailing area. Like surgery, this stuff takes some hands on experience for antiques.

A. I'm not familiar with a bubbling action, but any bright brass (or brass that was intended to stay bright) needs a lacquer coating which much be stripped with lacquer thinner ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] Warning! highly flammable! --so I'd guess that is what you are recalling. After removing the old lacquer, though, you need to brighten/polish the brass. On other letters people have recommended cleaning first with vinegar ⇦in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil links] --so I'd guess that is what you are recalling. After removing the old lacquer, though, you need to brighten/polish the brass. On other threads people have recommended cleaning first with vinegar and salt, then restoring the warm brass look with a commercial brass polish like Brasso ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] .