cleaning brass

Katykat

I dont want to buy new door furniture on new house, but the old stuff is tarnished. It's not solid brass it's the usual run of the mill numbers and keyhole covers you get from B&Q. Some of it is scratched, so I know I wont make that look good, but any OS ideas on how to make them look "as new"?:cool:

squeaky

It really depends on quite what the door furniture is made of and whether it is (was) lacquered or not.

If you go to the site linked below, click on the search engine link, and then type brass into the first search box you'll get plenty of advice.


http://www.howtocleananything.com/frame.htm

moggins

Don't Kim and Aggie use brown sauce or salt and half a lemon?

squeaky

That works Ok if the brass is untreated, but if it's lacquered, with some of the lacquer scratched off, it'll treat the bare metal only and still leave you with a messy looking two different finishes.

Then again - some "brass" fittings are anodised aluminium coloured to look like brass, and there's also brass plated base metal which needs yet another treatment.

The site I linked to covers most of the options all in one place.

Bargainloverbec

Whoops! Just did a double take and thought this thread was called cleaning bras.

I just put mine in the washing machine with the rest of my underwear!

As for brass - no ideas there I'm afraid...

arkonite_babe

Toothpaste is good on brass too. Give that a go.

Katykat

Could have sworn someone on this thread told me that tomato ketchup and salt worked, but cant seem to find the thread now, but anyway, I used it and guess what? The door furniture is sparkling. I cant believe how the paste worked so well. It doesn't look like new but much better than it was. Trouble is, if ketchup takes the tarnish off brass, WHAT DOES IT DO TO YOUR GUTS???? :eek:

Curry_Queen

Worcestershire sauce works on brass too!!!

Clean the brass with it then wash it off before buffing with newspaper!












Yes, I did watch Kim & Aggie with the Bird Woman of Alcatraz last night :rotfl:

GreenFingers_2

If the objects are real brass and not lacquered in any way then I think you may find Brasso brass polish is still one of the best and possibly the cheapest options. Rub it well in with a soft cloth, allow to dry, then polish off with a soft cloth. If done regularly you will find your brass objects will develop a wonderful sheen to them, as the polish is a slightly abrasive.

For brass objects with hard to reach places or awkward shapes, dip a strip of thin cardboard in the brasso and put some elbow grease into the polishing, allow to dry then polish off with a soft cloth (old Army trick – lol) – Hope this helps.

carol_a_3

What about the brass fittings on the back of wooden toilet seats? Could I use sauce there do you think? I tried Brasso some time ago but it didn't work, they're still positively grotty, a greeny colour from male "sprinkles" even though I wash them regularly.

Katykat

Carol, the door fittings I'm talking about WERE green and black, you could hardly tell they were brass (laquered) Now after the ketchup treatment, folowed by Brasso, they are gleaming. I'm dead chuffed.