
Here's a list of what Sorenson and Hartman consider the best brass cleaners. There are plenty of store-bought brass cleaners that you can use. Use a soft, damp cloth to apply the soapy water, and clean it until all debris, dust, and dirt are gone. All you need is warm water and mild dish soap. And before you get started on polishing, always wash the brass before polishing it. Though Hartman rubs in polish with very fine steel wool, she warns that you should never use any steel wool that’s thicker than grade 00, to avoid scratching the surface. Apply it according to the instructions on the bottle using a soft cleaning cloth (Sorenson prefers a knit-cotton material, like that of an undershirt). To remove discoloration, use a polish designed specifically for brass. That’s why it’s important to identify whether or not the brass is just a plating before you embark on any brass cleaning project. Polishing isn’t necessary on objects that are only brass-plated, and, in fact, it could actually scratch the plating off. If it does stick, it’s only brass-plated-and if the object is just brass-plated, all you actually need to clean it is warm water and soap.

The way to know whether or not something is fully brass is simple: Place a magnet on it. Determine if the Object is Brass or Brass-Plated “But if there’s a thin, shiny coating that is coming off in places, then the piece has been lacquered and the only real option is to take it to a metal refinisher.” 2. “Chances are it hasn’t, because the point of lacquer is to prevent tarnishing,” says Hartman. There’s a surprisingly easy way to determine the lacquer-related status of your brass: If there is already tarnish on the brass, it probably has not been lacquered.

Determine Whether the Brass Has Been Lacquered
#BRASS & COPPER CLEANER N/R MAC 232 SDS HOW TO#
Whether you’ve picked up a vintage lamp or just replaced your cabinet pulls, here’s how to make your brass items look their best. Here, they reveal their favorite brass cleaners, how to make a DIY brass polish, and other key insights on cleaning brass. We turned to the experts to get their best tips on caring for brass: Teri Hartman, manager of Liz’s Antique Hardware in Los Angeles, and Carl Sorenson, founder of Nanz, a New York company that produces custom-made solid-brass hardware.

It’s critical to know how to clean brass so you can keep all your brass items gleaming. Brass pops up on everything from lamps and vases to coffee tables and flatware-and while brass is in style, tarnish isn’t.
