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Polishing brass and painted brass

2003

Q. What is the best way to polish brass? I have also tried Brasso [on eBay or Amazon], but it doesn't work well.
Some of the brass has paint on it.

How do I get that off easily?
Is there a home remedy to make it easier?
Use of vinegar [in bulk on eBay or Amazon]?

Thanks.

Jim Lepak
- Amherst, Wisconsin

Mineral Spirits
mineral_spirits
on eBay or

Amazon

(affil links)

A. Hi, Jim. Different technologies are used to remove organics like paint vs. removing metallic oxides.

So the paint must be removed first: try acetone [on eBay or Amazon] or mineral spirits [on eBay or Amazon] . If they don't work, you'll need to use something nasty like Aircraft Stripper, but this can only be used with excellent ventilation, and wearing goggles [on eBay or Amazon] and rubber gloves [on eBay or Amazon]. After the paint is off, the Brasso or a stronger brass polish like Revere Copper Cleaner should do it.

Vinegar plus salt is very mild for people, but very aggressive to brass; it does work, but will probably leave the brass looking raw and orange until you warm it up with the Brasso. Good luck.

Regards,

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

Polishing Brass Tabernacle

Q. Hi,

I assist a priest at a Catholic High School. The tabernacle where the hosts are kept for Communion is brass. It cannot be removed from the wall. The brass is pitted and I wanted to know what the best product would be to use in order to restore/polish the tabernacle. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

God bless,

Maryellen White
consumer - Quakertown, Pennsylvania, USA
2004

A. I'd just use a brass polish like Brasso [on eBay or Amazon].

Simon Dupay
- Roseville, Minnesota, USA
2004

Restoring a brushed brass finish

Q. I have a 1970's brass covered table. Originally, it was a very finely brushed surface, clear coated.

However, somebody to a random orbit sander with pretty coarse sandpaper to the top. I want to sand this smooth, then restore the brushing.

I think what I need to do is sand it down in stages, up to 2000 grit, then go into rouge.

Question 1: can I use an orbital sander with the rouge, then brush the shiny finish with steel wool. Will it leave a swirly pattern? And what grade of steel wool would you recommend?

Question 2: the piece has a sort of beat up clear epoxy finish on it (at least acetone doesn't soften it). I'm planning to smooth over the missing spots, sand it lightly, and coat with clear brass lacquer. Is lacquer over epoxy going to pose a problem?

Alec McAusland
hobbyist restorer - Paradise Valley, Arizona USA
August 12, 2017

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