Home remedy for cleaning brass

Does anyone know home recipe I could use to clean the base of a brass lamp?

An inherent characteristic of brass is that it tarnishes. So, if this lamp was polished brass, it would have had a lacquer finish at some time, which you may have to remove and restore.

But what I would probably do if it was mine is to attempt to polish it with Brasso ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] . If it didn't work, I would assume I wasn't reaching the brass due to the lacquer, and I would use a lacquer thinner ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] Flammable! , then try again. But, as mentioned, after restoration it will quickly tarnish again if you do not lacquer it.

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

This may sound crazy but you have to try it in order to polish and remove the tarnish you rub ketchup... yes try it and see

To clean brass or copper:mix vinegar ⇦in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil link] and table salt together and rub with a piece of cloth.Works great! And it's easy!After cleaning if you like to give it a better finish,apply Nevr-Dull ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] . WOW!

Q. I have followed the instructions to the letter but when I try to clean brass it comes out darker and tarnished can anyone help.

A. Hi Alan. As you see, we appended your question to a similar thread. We have about 100 threads about cleaning brass just on this site, and there are obviously countless other sites. So, unfortunately, telling us that you followed the instructions doesn't actually tell us what you did, or whether you're talking about a solid brass bell, or a brass plated bed, or an aluminum shower door or fiberglass garden figure that just looks like brass.

Please tell us what you are trying to clean, how you know it's brass, and what you tried. Thanks!

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Ted is available for instant help
or longer-term assistance.
September 5, 2013