Many solid-brass pieces are protected by a factory applied coating of lacquer. To clean away the tarnish, you must first strip off the lacquer. You could use acetone or lacquer remover, but try this first: submerge the brass piece in very hot water for about five minutes.
Acetone does not adversely affect the metal. It will have more effect on your brain, not unlike alcohol. And, like gasoline and ether, the vapors mixed with air are explosive. Its high evaporation rate makes that mixing happen fast if you have much of it over an exposed surface area that isn't outdoors.
Acetone can polymerise rapidly due to heating and under the influence of air, light and on contact with a catalyst, strong oxidisers and metals such as copper and aluminium, with fire or explosion hazard.
Avoid abrasives
Don't use wire wool in case you scratch the surface and damage your antique brass. Similarly, avoid getting any abrasive powder or liquid cleaner in fine details as it can leave a white residue that can be hard to remove.
Nail polish remover also works. For really old, stubborn lacquers, consider soaking your piece in the chemical remover for several hours. Never use an abrasive cleanser, wire brush, or steel wool, as these will scratch the metal.
We like to use WD-40. It is not only very easy to use, but is also quick and very effective. All you need to do is coat the gold and brass lamp with a layer of WD-40, which is a great to clean brass and let it sit for about 15-30 minutes. Take a clean cloth and rub the lamp in circular motions drying and buffing it up.
While there are many approaches to clean brass cartridge casings, professionals rely on an ultrasonic cleaner for the job. Nothing beats ultrasonic cavitation for speed and thoroughness in removing powder and firing chamber residues, oxides and other contaminants on interior and exterior brass shell casings.
All you need to start is a mild dish soap, like Dawn Platinum Powerwash Free & Clear, and a warm water rinse.
Cleaning (for light soils): The use of isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) applied with the sponge side of a light-duty, "white-padded" scrubbing sponge with the grain of the door. In the event of tougher scuff marks, flip over sponge and gently agitate with the grain of the metal with the white scrub pad.
Use only non-sparking tools and equipment. Metal containers involving the transfer of Acetone should be grounded and bonded. Keep Acetone out of confined spaces, such as sewers, because of the possibility of an explosion. DO NOT wash into sewer as Acetone is dangerous to aquatic life in high concentrations.
No, acetone doesn't corrode steel. Stainless steel is pretty resistant to damage, and acetone won't cause it to rust. However, if you leave acetone on the surface for too long, it could dull the finish or leave streaks.
In respect to Acetone, it is known to not damage metals, but is known to damage some plastics. The general procedure in respect to any product one uses, regarding its tendency to damage… if in doubt, try some on a test piece.
The surface roughness is increased in the presence of H2O2 compared to the untreated brass. This increase in surface roughness is characteristic of dezincification of brass or dealloying in other alloys [3]. The increase in surface roughness becomes more pronounced with the increase of H2O2 concentration.
Acidic Cleaners.
When cleaning brass, acidic cleaners like vinegar (acetic acid) and lemon juice (citric acid) work best. These help dissolve hard water deposits and make the tarnish caused by them much easier to remove.
Cleaning brass: the basics
A number of household products can be used to help you maintain brass including everything from basic soapy water to Coca-Cola or white vinegar.
Using Lemon and salt polish to clean brass will provide a long-lasting shine that is resistant to tarnish. The lemon's acidic juices penetrate the brass, loosening oxidation while leaving a protective coating.
Of course, if you happen to have a professional brass polish, then any tarnish will buff right away. If you don't? Sailors are known for their resourcefulness and, in a pinch, can whip-up a paste with lemon and salt or baking soda. The key is a bit of acid and a gentle abrasion.
Vinegar and Salt Solution
Here's another natural cleaning method that's surprisingly effective: Mix equal parts white vinegar and salt to create a paste. Apply the paste to your brass jewelry and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and dry completely.
This might surprise you, but yes, you sure can clean brass using just toothpaste.
So which cleaning method was the winner? It was the chemical-based cleaner, Brasso! Out of all the options, Brasso lightened the color the most, removed more build-up from the crevices, didn't leave streaks, and added a nice sheen to the brass.