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Q&As since 1989


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BEAUTIFYING BRASS ADVICE NEEDED

I HAVE READ ALL THE POSTINGS CONCERNING RUST ON BRASS. I AM A BIT OVERWHELMED. WHAT IS THE BEST APPROACH TO CLEANING AND REMOVING RUST FROM BRASS? IS IT IMPOSSIBLE TO RESTORE BRASS TO THE BEAUTY IT ONCE POSSESSED

V. L. REYES
- SAN ANTONIO Texas USA
2002

I don't know if that was a complaint or a compliment, V.L. :-)

But after all that heavy reading, you didn't tell us what you learned and didn't learn from it, or from what point we're supposed to start on this go 'round. So we better start all the way at the beginning again. Did you try a magnet in order to determine whether you are dealing with brass plated steel ? It could also be brass plated zinc or brass plated aluminum because you haven't indicated what kind of part or parts you are referring to. And it could be electrophoretic lacquer on nickel plating, or it could be a zirconium nitride coating, rather than brass. Or it could be solid brass. But only iron and steel can rust, and I don't know if you are really talking about rust, or just general corrosion or tarnishing.

The real point though, is that if it's quite old it's probably brass plated steel and the brass plating has worn off. You cannot do brass plating at home. Take the item to a plating jobshop and have it replated.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2002