Cleaning brass

[washnwax]

Hi everyone -

Not an auto paint question, but still clean/polish/protect related.

I have these awesome, highly-polished coach lights that have been outside for over a decade that seem to have all-of-a-sudden turned black in areas.

Any idea on what this is and how to return the finish to a high polish luster (and not buy new ones)?

 

[fly07sti]

I have no idea of what the black stuff is. When I was young I remember helping my Grandfather clean different brass items around his house. We used Brasso and sometimes Klasse AIO. Always used cotton towels also. Sure someone else will chime in and know exactly what the black stuff is.

 

[dad07]

They are tarnished or another term (patina).....that gives them character in some peoples mind.

Mother nature can play havoc on brass and even copper for that matter.

Yes they can be polished back to their original glory with some elbow grease and time. Brasso is a great product for brass (all we ever used in the military) also some automotive polishes are capable cleaning that up (Duragloss liquid metal polish) is one I have used for many different tasks.

A dremel tool with some different wheels will speed up the process but patience is your friend.

Nice looking fixtures by the way, I like them.

 

[brettS4]

Bar Keeper's Friend does a good job on brass. It (and probably Brasso) can be found in most grocery stores, hardware stores, etc.

 

[MPBGT]

Check out flitz, they have good polish and I think they have a spray that is supposed to dissolve tarnish.

I've only used the polish personally

 

[SameGuy]

BKF was formulated to polish brass. In my opinion it is more effective -- and cheaper -- than Brasso on larger surfaces. I also use Matfer Bistro paste on copper and brass. It is better than BKF on cookware, and less toxic than Brasso. I hope.

 

[washnwax]

They are tarnished or another term (patina).....that gives them character in some peoples mind.

Mother nature can play havoc on brass and even copper for that matter.
Thanks for the info DAD07. I really thought these were shot and irreparable.

Brasso is a great product for brass (all we ever used in the military) also some automotive polishes are capable cleaning that up (Duragloss liquid metal polish) is one I have used for many different tasks.
Thanks- you have exp w/ Brasso? Does it leave any scratches? Would I use Brasso to remove the tarnish and then polish them with dremel to bring back luster or is this an AIO product? Never used Brasso. Thanks for your service.

A dremel tool with some different wheels will speed up the process but patience is your friend.
Cool. I have a dremel and never used it. Will look into what buffing tips it will accept.

Nice looking fixtures by the way, I like them.
Thanks!

Bar Keeper's Friend does a good job on brass. It (and probably Brasso) can be found in most grocery stores, hardware stores, etc.

Thanks BrettS4. I have both the powder and the liquid form as I use it to clean my stainless steel pans and it does say it works on brass. It works wonders for cleaning off stains on my stainless steel cookware, but on the mirror finish lids, it scratched them up. Funny thing is it says it "polishes" but IMO, I am not sure it will be safe on the brass. I can try it in a small area.

Check out flitz, they have good polish and I think they have a spray that is supposed to dissolve tarnish.

I've only used the polish personally

Thanks MPBGT. Never heard of that product but will check it out.

BKF was formulated to polish brass. Thanks SameGuy.

In my opinion it is more effective -- and cheaper -- than Brasso on larger surfaces. Have you tried BKF on brass? Does it scratch if the brass is highly polished?

I also use Matfer Bistro paste on copper and brass. It is better than BKF on cookware, and less toxic than Brasso. I hope.Will check that out.

So hopefully I can get these two to look as good as the one that was just delivered.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/uploads/32132/WP_20150220_09_58_44_Pro.jpg

This one is going up over my double wide garage door which is on a different end of house, but still I need my other two fixtures to be standing guard in full dress as clean as this one. Once the weather breaks I will try the various products and dremel tools to (hopefully) get the existing two in like-new condition to match. :xyxthumbs:

Appreciate all the feedback and thx for not booing me for this not being a car.

 

[MarkD51]

Yes, Brasso, and Bar Keepers Friend are great for Brass. Cheap, easily gotten. I think I paid something like $2.75 for a bottle of Brasso at Home Depot a couple weeks ago.

Not to break your bubble though, but the black areas might very well be failure of the brass plating, and nothing may rectify such. These of course are plated, not solid brass pieces.

 

[SameGuy]

BKF won't scratch. It is essentially oxalic acid and corn starch. Water activates the acid which removes stains and tarnish from most metals, and turns the corn starch into paste making it easy to use. Brasso may work better for an outdoor environment, though, leaving behind some of its petroleum distillates as a form of protection... Or you could just apply a couple of nice coats of Collinite 845 Insulator Wax after the BKF.