Refinishing Brass

[Tripwire]

Anyone have any suggestions for refinishing brass lamps?
I have 3 which are badly tarnished and need refinishing.

Forget Brasso...That takes a lot work, with very little result...at least in my case.

Any HEAVY duty stuff that can be used??

[Anonymous]

I know you don't want to hear this but...

Brasso.

Why? You go down to your boat, push off the dock and sail for a bit. Drop anchor in some cove and pour a drink. Watch the sunset, sitting in your cockpit, rubbing brasso on a lamp.

Life is good, and we can still call it "working on the boat."

[rakuqueen]

I have used red bear. It works, I like it better than brasso because there is no oder. It still is hard work to clean all those little parts. Does anyone have any ideas about the portholes. Ours are green. It looks like they were never cleaned, and we have 8 of them!!
Jane

[GordMay]

Sorry, don't know an easy way to clean brass - but once it's clean, a little wax can help keep it that way. I've used liquid car-wash (just add to water) "Zip" wax on both S/S & Brass Portlights etc. It really helps!
Careful cleaning "Laquered" brass - don't want to remove the laquer.

Regards,
Gord

[delmarrey]

I've been using Never-Dull ever since I got the good on the job training in the Navy doing quarter deck watches. It's a cotton like material that has a chemical in it. Just rub the brass and the darkness goes away and polishes the surface. Let it dry and wipe it clean with a cotton cloth. And Wa La! Be sure to put the lid back on the can after you get a piece so it doesn't evaporate. Although, I've had a can for 30 years now.




The experiance I've had with brass lamps is they might only be plated so work on the bottom first. If it turns the wrong color don't bother polishing them just call them antique............_/ )

[rakuqueen]

I have found a great way to clean brass lamps, ports, etc. I have tried many things, brasso, red bear, lysol toilet cling cleaner and wrights copper cream. The copper clean works great.
First apply the copper cream and let sit for at least five minutes, ten is better. Then use a battery run tooth brush to scrub the cream into all the little spots. I use a crest brush because it was on sale! and you can lock it into an on position. It really works. My lamps were green in places and now they are beautiful. This is addictive. Jim had started w/ polishing cream and had done a small spot which took him forever, he took the dog for her nightly walk, and when he came back the base was clean. This am, when we were all trying to get going I started on the lamp. Took daughter to school, etc. left the cream on for about 30min, attacked w/ toothbruch and 10 mim later the lamp was clean. After rinsing I did notice some spots I missed, will get those later today. I can't wait to install this lamp and get the other one clean. I tried this on the ports yesterday, it works great.