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How do I remove rust from old brass lamps and be able to re-create a aged brass look?

I have purchased 3 old brass lamps at a garage sale. I need to remove rust from their bases and I am at a loss as to how to do this and still make them look like aged brass. The rust is fairly significant and if I sand them I'm afraid it will take them down to a metal look. This is my first project and I love these lamps. Help!

Holly Stockon
hobbyist - Guerneville, Calif, USA
2007

Ed. note: Recognize that the rust exists because the plating is permeated and no longer protecting it. So you will need to regularly use wax or oil to deter re-rusting. You can of course have it replated.

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Simple and effective toxic free rust remover-50 gm citric acid ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] /1 lit water/+add some ammonia,pH must be 3,5(for iron rust,for copper/copper alloys pH must be 9).Hope it helps and good luck!

Goran Budija
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
2007