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How do I clean tarnished brass?

Q. I am trying to polish several brass knobs with 80+ years of tarnish. What is the easiest/ quickest way to clean and polish?

Lori [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Minnesota, USA [city deleted for privacy by Editor]
2002

A. I used to do this type of work but no longer. I do not suggest you attempt this your self. The tarnish need to be removed with acid and then the metal buffed to a luster and then lacquered sealed.

Jon Quirt
- Fridley, Minnesota

A. Sodium cyanide solution (5-7%) will be an effective anti-tarnishing solution. After immersing in this solution for 5 minutes there may be a need of buffing it with green and red jeweler's rouge (polishing/buffing compound) [affil links] compounds.

Venkat Raja
- Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

A. This may surprise you. Mix Salt and vinegar [in bulk on eBay or Amazon] into a paste. Allow your brass to soak in the solution for 1 hour. It's a miracle. Forget the acid treatment and plating. This works. Guaranteed.

E. Jones
- Springfield, Ohio
2002

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