If you look, you will meet your brass everywhere. And although the material is fashionable, the slolves is not. It is essential to know how to clean brass so that all objects of this material continue to shine. We have resorted to experts to give us their Better tips on brass care: Teri Hartman, manager of LIZ's Antique Hardware in Los Angeles, and Carl Sorenson, founder of Nanz, a New York company that manufactures custom -made -made brass. Here they reveal their favorite brass cleaners, How to polish the brass and other key ideas about Cleaning the brass. Whether you just bought a lamp Vintage As if you just changed the jaladiers of your closet, here we explain how to make your brass objects look as well as possible.
1. Determine if the brass is enameled
There is a surprisingly easy way to Determine the brass varnish state: If the brass has already lost the luster, it has probably not been varnished. «Most likely they have not varnished, since The target of the lacquer is to avoid the slow «, Hartman says. «But if there is a thin and brilliant layer that is being detached in some parts, then the piece has been varnished and the only real option is to take it to be reviewed by someone who is dedicated to working with metals.»
2. Determine whether the object is brass or brass plated
The way of knowing if something is totally brass is simple: place a magnet on it. If you don't stick, it's brass. If it adheres, then it is brass sheet … and if the object is only brass sheet, all you have to do is clean it with hot water and soap. The polishing is not necessary in the objects that are only plays, since it could actually scratch the plated. That is why it is important to identify whether brass is just a plated or not before embarking on Any project to clean the brass.
3. Puls the brass regularly
To eliminate discoloration, use a puller designed specifically for brass. Apply it following the instructions in the bottle with a soft cleaning cloth. Although Hartman rubs the polishing with a very fine metal sponge, he warns that a thicker metal sponge should never be used than that of grade 00, to avoid scratching the surface. And before you start polishing, always Remember to wash the brass first. All you need is warm water and soft soap for dishes. Use a soft and humid cloth to apply soapy and limpial it until all the remains, dust and dirt disappear.
4. You can make your own extract to polish brass at home
It is not mandatory that you buy a brass professional puller. You probably have everything you need to make your own brass puller in your kitchen. His ingredients will be totally natural, but we leave you a warning by Hartman: «The procedure is the same [que con un producto especializado para pulir latón], But it requires much more work. «
Lemon polishing and sodium bicarbonate
A way of cleaning brass It is combining the half -lemon juice with a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate and mixed until it becomes a paste. Apply the pasta with a soft cloth. If the sluster is intense, let the piece rest with the pasta for 30 minutes. Clarify with warm and dry water. Repeat the operation if necessary.
Lemon and salt polishing
Cut a lemon in half and cover the cut section with a teaspoon of table salt. Rub the lemon on the rang piece of brasssqueezing it as you advance to release lemon juice. Clarify with warm and dry water.
Flour, salt and white vinegar
Combine equal parts of flour, salt and white vinegar to create a paste. Apply a fine layer of that paste on the tired brass and leave it for an hour before clarifying it with warm water and drying it.
Cátsup, tomato sauce or tomato caldillo
When you wondered how to clean brassyou probably didn't think that the Cersup would be having something to do … Well surprise! This seasoning can be your Savior. Jitomates contain an acid that helps eliminate brass and other metals; Therefore, applying a tomato -based product can do wonders in your brass. The catsup, the tomato sauce and the tomato caldillo work equally well. Apply a layer to your brass and let it act for an hour. Then, wash it with warm water and soap for frets. Let it dry.
5. An expert for certain topics resorts
For functional elements, such as locks, hinges, hardware or lampsSorenson suggests looking for the help of a professional. «Wiring, mechanical complexity and lubrication requirements usually convert this type of projects into something more than simple tasks you can do yourself,» he says.
6. Consider letting the brass age with grace and not polishing it at all
Sometimes, The beauty of an ancient brass object is its slowin which case Sorenson recommends leaving it as it is. «It is often better to give up the polishing process,» he says, pointing out that polishing antiques can significantly reduce their value. «Too often I see that what would be a wonderfully attached article degraded significantly by A bad decision to restore it to a state as if it were new. «
Article originally published in Ad us.