Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


-----

Fixing blackened brass plumbing fixtures

Hello-

I purchased a new home in South Florida. Someone (housekeeper maybe) used a caustic solution to clean the bathroom fixtures. All the brass plumbing faucets turned black. I've seen this once before in my life when I used muriatic acid to wash a concrete floor, and the fumes turned my inventory of brass ball valves completely black overnight. Aside from steel brush removal of the black coating now on the fixtures, is there a chemical "wipe" that can be applied to remove the oxidation, or is this a "replace and lesson learned" type problem?

Your comments are appreciated.

Brian Wheeler
homeowner Tampa, Florida, USA
2004

Polish, polish, polish.

Brasso [on eBay or Amazon], Nevr-Dull [affil links], or whatever polishing agent you normally use. If it is REALLY thick use some muriatic acid [affil links] (it will eat the oxides off but neutralize with baking soda [on eBay or Amazon] and water immediately after, you will still have to polish it though). Beware of fumes from the Acid, they are powerful and don't smell too good, I suggest a diluted solution of about 4 parts water to 1 part acid. Still pretty strong, but much less a health risk.

I still think you'd be better off using elbow grease and a few rags.

Marc Banks
- Elizabeth City, North Carolina
2004