Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500335
06/24/03
Tarnished Brass
Unlacquered brass tarnishes when exposed to air. A
weekly wiping with a little liquid ammonia on a soft
cloth will help keep unlacquered brass shiny. Use a
commercial cleaner (available in grocery or hardware
stores) or a homemade cleaner (see below) to remove
tarnish. On antique brass, test the cleaning product to
be sure of obtaining the desired effect. Some methods not
only clean tarnish but also remove the mellow coloring of
age that is desirable on old drawer pulls and other
accessories.
To polish antique brass pieces: wash in hot, soapy
water to remove grime, wax, etc. Rinse and dry. Moisten a
soft cloth with boiled linseed oil and rub on the brass
surface until all the dirt and grease have been removed.
Polish with a soft cloth. Very old brass items,
especially if in poor condition, require special care.
Consult museum experts for advice.
To polish for a soft finish: wash in hot, soapy
water, rinse and dry. Make a paste of whiting and boiled
linseed oil. Apply with a soft cloth and rub to remove
tarnish. Wipe off excess paste and polish with a clean
cloth.
To remove heavy tarnish, difficult stains and
corrosion: wash in hot, soapy water or a weak ammonia and
water solution and rinse. Dampen a soft cloth in hot
vinegar, then dip in table salt and rub the brass, or
make a paste of flour, salt and vinegar. You may need
several applications. When the item is clean, wash in
hot, soapy water, rinse and dry thoroughly, then polish
with a cloth moistened with lemon oil. If preferred, dip
a slice of fresh lemon into table salt and rub over the
corroded area. Wash, rinse and dry carefully.
Brass andirons and fire sets that have been
neglected require special treatment. They can be rubbed
with extra-fine steel wool (0000); however, this requires
much time and work. Very fine emery cloth will give
quicker results, but the metal must be rubbed in only one
direction, do not use a circular motion. When clean,
polish with a brass polish. Some commercial polishes do
not require rinsing, so follow label directions. If this
doesn't work, spray with black or brass colored paint in
a pressurized can.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus, with references from Maryland
Extension bulletin, Caring for Your Valuables: Brass,
Copper, Pewter, Silver Tin.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State
University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race,
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Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director,
MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational
purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/04/08.
Data base 02 was last revised on 06/24/03.
For more information about this data base or its contents please contact
strausc@msu.edu .