A new brass item looks shinier and elegant. But does its shininess remain after some passage of time? Well, the answer is No. Everyone wants to retain the beauty of antique brass and to give it a new look. When the brass elements come in contact with air and moisture, it turns brown, green, or reddish patina. Although aging is the irresistible factor, it does not mean the looks cannot be retained. There are few ways in which brass items can be repaired, and its new looks can be cherished.
There are some DIY hacks to polish and retain the shininess of the brass components. These home-based activities are quick and can be done easily without much stress. Brass oxidizes easily and gets tarnished, thereby creating a thin film of oxidized layer. Using too harsh chemicals and abrasives might lead to the blackening of the antique brass. To give a shinier look, most of the time, we insert the component into a caustic solution. It should be avoided as it may remove the engraving as well.
How to Clean the Components of Antique Brass?
- Using water and soap: To clean the dirt from the surface, use hot soapy water and a soft cloth. To avoid burns from the hot water, wear rubber gloves. Most of the people have a myth that using steel and harsh pad would help in easy cleaning. For your information, it may damage the antique brass. Hot water is enough to clean off the sticky dirt. The soft cloth is the best option to go.
- Lemon juice: The citric acid content in the lemon plays a vital role in neutralizing the thin film layer that covers the brass components. As the pH level of the lemon is low, it ensures effective cleaning. Use lemon juice and a soft cloth to clean the surface of the antique brass. Well, one should clean it appropriately as the traces of lemon may corrode the items.
- Vinegar or saltwater: Vinegar or simple table salt can be the best item to clean the brass components. As compared to the other methods, this one takes a bit of time and lots of effort to clean. Being environment-friendly, it does not harm your skin and retains the antiquity of the brass.
- Soak it in baking soda solution: Another effective DIY hack to clean the antique brass is using the paste of baking soda. Either you can use less water and make a thick paste or insert it into the solution of baking soda. Apply the paste on the corroded surface and wipe it off after some time with a soft cloth.
- Ammonia fumes: One of the effective ways to cure the aging antique brass is to treat it with the fumes of ammonia. Well, being poisonous and causes skin irritation, proper safety measures in the form of masks and gloves should be used to avoid such impacts.
The sandpaper is also a better idea to clean the rugged surface of the brass. If the hacks mentioned above do not prove beneficial, you could take it to the experts for professional cleaning. While cleaning it with some chemical agents, one should wear safety gear to avoid any accidental scenes.
Some aspects should keenly be considered while using such hacks. Using any agents without having suitable knowledge about it can be time-taking. Make sure the treating technique is simple, easy, and cost-savvy. Make sure you do not end up in any messed up situation. Check the potential of the chemicals like ammonia fumes to avoid any hassling situations to occur.
