Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Brass/Copper Polishing in Old Temples
We are a social organization based in the Maharashtra state of India. recently we have taken up a restoration job for an old temple in a remote village. a major portion of the temple (including the idols) are of brass / copper. Due to paucity of funds we can ill afford to use expensive metal polish such as "Brasso"
[on
eBay or
Amazon]. Can any one of you be kind enough to send us the chemical composition of such polishes so that we can be cost effective in this noble task ? You could also visit our website
www.indiablessings.com ⇩
which is for the religious minded people. with regards, sanjay
- Pune/Maharashtra/india
2000
Ed. update Nov. 2023: The above link became a link farm in 2004 and now bounces to a yoga studio; thankfully, Archive.org's wonderful Wayback Machine saved a copy ]
A. Ok this is an old post but if you still need the info, ketchup, normal household ketchup, can do it. The vinegar [in bulk on eBay or Amazon] in it is what removes the tarnish - try that or just use straight vinegar. I hope it helps and that you see this.
Patrick Donahue- New Jersey
2003
A. Ketchup or vinegar & salt are indeed powerful brass & copper cleaners but dissolve some of the zinc, leaving the metal looking rather pink or salmon colored. They are ideal for reducing the labor element, but I would be careful about something so aggressive being used on antiquities.
If you can't afford to buy Brasso
[on
eBay or
Amazon] you can search expired patents for the composition of brass polishes, and gain some insights from the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) -- just google "SDS Brasso".
Good luck!
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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