Where theworld gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989
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Brass/Copper Polishing in Old Temples
2000
We are a social organization based in the Maharashtra state of India. recently we have taken up a restoration job for an old temple in a remote village. a major portion of the temple (including the idols) are of brass / copper. Due to paucity of funds we can ill afford to use expensive metal polish such as "Brasso"
[on
eBay or
Amazon]. Can any one of you be kind enough to send us the chemical composition of such polishes so that we can be cost effective in this noble task ? You could also visit our website
www.indiablessings.com ⇩
which is for the religious minded people. with regards, sanjay
- Pune/Maharashtra/india
Ed. update Nov. 2023: The above link became a link farm in 2004 and now bounces to a yoga studio; thankfully, Archive.org's wonderful Wayback Machine saved a copy
]A. Ok this is an old post but if you still need the info, katsup, normal household katsup, can do it. The vinegar [in bulk on eBay or Amazon] in it is what removes the tarnish - try that or just use straight vinegar. I hope it helps and that you see this.
Patrick Donahue- New Jersey
2003
A. Ketchup or vinegar & salt are indeed powerful brass and copper cleaners which dissolve some of the zinc, leaving the metal looking rather pink or salmon colored. They are ideal for reducing the labor element, but I would be careful about something so aggressive being used on antiquities.
You can search expired patents for the composition of brass polishes, Sanjay. Everyone feels their cause is noble, but we can't publish the trade secret composition of Brasso
[on
eBay or
Amazon] -- deciding for ourselves that your cause is more noble & important than the dreams of the employees & stockholders of Duraglit :-)
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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