What is a good way to clean brass?

Question

My Dad wants me to ask this question! As he is cleaning up an old boat and wants it to look the best it can.

Thanks

Answer 1

Tomato ketchup.  Use like any polish, putting a little on a duster, rub in and polish off.  Cheaper and better than any specialist cleaning product.

Answer 2

try toothpaste it really brings up brass to a gleaming shine

Answer 3

If the brass is lacquered it shouldn't tarnish unless the lacquer cracks, in which case it would need to be removed and then reapplied after the brass is polished.

For unlacquered brass, you can buy a commercial brass cleaner and use according to the instructions. But you should test a small area first. It is recommended that brass fixtured be removed from furniture/doors/whatever before cleaning so the surrounding areas aren't affected.

You may just be able to clean with rubbing alcohol. There is more information here: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/brass

Answer 4

Spit and polish

Answer 5

With brasso..avaialble about any hardware store..wal mart etcetera..

http://www.stanleylondon.com/brasso.htm

Answer 6

I am currently refinishing an old boat with lots of brass and have done several others in the past. I have found the best way to clean and polish brass or any other metal is to use an inexspensive product called  [NEVER DULL]. Simply rub the surface, buff and be happy. Spray with clear lacquer when finished!

Answer 7

Use brasso and a soft scouring pad, rub the brasso all over and then buff the brass with newspaper. When the brasso goes black, shine it up with a clean rag

Answer 8

BRASSO!!!!!.

Answer 9

Oxalic acid

Answer 10

Noxon.  Noxon works better than Brasso.