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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 [affil link] , 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 [affil link] ?
Thanks.
- Amherst, Wisconsin
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
[affil link] Flammable!
or
mineral spirits
⇦ on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil link]
. 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 [affil link] and rubber gloves
⇦ on
eBay or
Amazon [affil link] . 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 are able warm it up with the Brasso. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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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,
consumer - Quakertown, Pennsylvania, USA
2004
A. I'd just use a brass polish like Brasso ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] .
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?
hobbyist restorer - Paradise Valley, Arizona USA
August 12, 2017
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