How to clean brass and how to maintain it

Homemade tips for good brass wire maintenance 

Over time, brass wire tends to darken and take on a greenish color due to contact with air and moisture. Below we show you tips to keep your pieces in perfect condition. 

• How do we distinguish brass from bronze? 

First of all place, It is necessary to make sure that the correct piece is cleaned, to do this, with the help of a magnet, we will check what type of metal it is; if the magnet catches, the piece is made of brass. 

• How can we remove rust from parts? 

Soak brass pieces in a container of vinegar for several hours, depending on the degree of rust. 

Generally with a couple of hours it is enough, although I recommend checking the container every half hour. 

•  How to prevent brass wire from rusting? 

Step 1: Soak a cloth with lemon juice and rub the piece. 

Step 2: Clean the piece with a cloth dampened with water and dry it with a dry cloth. 

Step 3: Once dry, you will see that the lemon juice will restore the shine to the piece. 

• How do we remove the “green” from the piece? 

For this we will use: water, bleach, a bowl and a cloth. 

Step 1: Mix two glasses of water with two glasses of bleach in the bowl and insert the piece. 

2nd step: Bring the bowl to a boil for 5 minutes to soften the green part embedded in the brass. 

Step 3: After 5 minutes, remove the piece and clean it with a dry cloth. 

You will see that all the greenish part remains on the cloth, leaving the piece clean and shiny. 

• How can we polish a brass piece? 

We will need: vinegar, salt, flour, a small container and soft cloths. Steps to follow: 

Step 1: Mix a spoonful of salt and a spoonful of vinegar in a bowl. Add flour until the paste becomes thick. 

Step 2: Rub the piece with a cloth soaked in the paste. 

Step 3: Once we have rubbed the piece well, let the solution act for 10 minutes. 

Step 4: Clean with warm water after 10 minutes and dry the piece with a cloth.dry. 

• How to age brass? 

Mix equal parts table salt and water. What is the reason for this? 

This will speed up the natural aging process that brass goes through. To do this, apply paint with a brush over the entire surface and reapply daily until you achieve the desired appearance. 

• How do you paint brass? 

First, look for a spray paint for metal. 

Step 1: Clean the surface with a damp cloth and soapy water.  

Step 2: Rinse the area with a clean, damp cloth. 

Step 3: Dry the surface with a towel. 

4th: Apply the paint. You will get better results if you apply several thin coats on the metal. 

It is very easy to clean brass, but it requires a minimal maintenance. 

At Zavala we are experts in all types of metals, with more than 50 years of experience. Do not hesitate to contact us. Contact us for any questions.