6 Tips on Caring for Non-Laquered Brass

Cleaning and caring for brass objects can be simple and easy if you know the characteristics of this alloy, why it tarnishes so readily, and how to remove tarnish and protect the brass finish from future tarnish. Here are a few tips you can use to remove tarnish, along with directions for using it.

Tip 1 – Learn More About Brass

To better understand how to clean brass, try to learn more about this metal, why it tarnishes so readily in when exposed to air. Learn more about the various coatings such as lacquer that are use to keep it from tarnishing. Learn more about polishes and films used to protect non-lacquered brass, and how to clean brass that has been coated.  

Tip 2 – Cleaning Non-Lacquered Brass

Apply a small amount of ammonia to a soft cloth each week, then wipe the brass with this cloth. Carefully select any brass cleaner to be sure it does not remove age coloring of antique, or old, brass.

Tip 3 - Avoid Over-Cleaning

To avoid the black color that can appear on brass, limit your use of brass polish. Avoid over-cleaning. Clean your brass objects only when you see tarnish on the brass surface. Don't make the mistake of believing "the more polish, the better the shine." Apply and spread only an occasional light coating of cleaner or polish, using a dry absorbent rag.

Tip 4 – Burnishing Your Brass

Use a clean, absorbent cloth to burnish the brass, using the same process as in spit polishing your shoes. After applying the polish, buff in a circular motion that is fast enough to create friction that hardens and burnishes the polish. This burnished surface will then be more resistant to fingerprints, smudges, and discoloring. But, understand that this reaction between meal and chemicals only works with raw brass that has not been lacquered or sealed.   

Tip 5 – Using the 2-Step Care Method

Caring for brass, as with most metals, is a method that involves two steps:

Cleaning: For lighter soiling and marks apply rubbing alcohol to the sponge side of a 2-sided scouring pad and apply this to the brass. For heavy soiling, apply a low abrasion cream to a moist sponge, and massage the cream into the sponge, then apply the sponge to the brass surface. With light strokes. When finished, remove the cream by wiping the surface with a soft, clean cloth.

Polishing: For best results, use a treated dust cloth with a small amount of oil. Apply to the brass surface, then buff with a soft cloth. If you see smearing on the brass, this means you've used too much oil. To make your brass look brighter and retard tarnishing, apply a light coat of olive oil with a clean cloth after polishing the brass.

Tip 6 – Lacquering  

Lacquering brass can be tricky. You can do it if you are careful and follow an established procedure for this method. First, you need to remove old lacquer. Second, you need to be sure all fingerprints and smudges have been removed. Finally, spray on the lacquer in several very thin coats.