View Full Version : How to polish a large sheet of brass?
Bailey Guns
06-08-2015, 19:44
I have 2 4'x6' sheets of what I think is brass that is badly tarnished. They've been behind our woodstove for years and badly need some attention. I tried Brasso and elbow grease. It works...somewhat. But I'll need a tanker full of Brasso, a truckload of rags and a lot more time and elbow grease than I have.
Any suggestions? I've looked online and have found a few that look effective for smaller items but nothing that I think will work well for what I need.
Anyone do this for a living and need a small job?
This is what the item looks like:
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt337/baileyguns/DSC_1808_zpsdca0gpui.jpg
flower and white vinegar paste
http://pancakesandfrenchfries.com/2010/09/nontoxic-homemade-brass-polish/
redneck122
06-08-2015, 19:57
Do you have an electric buffer to try instead of doing it by hand?
Mother Wheel Polish (Paste)
http://www.mothers.com/02_products/05100-05101_b.html#&slider1=7
Can be done by hand but a buffer is much faster, it works on brass, copper and bronze too.
Most auto parts stores carry it, it's about $10.00 a tub and you'll probably only need one tub per sheet.
Bailey Guns
06-08-2015, 20:32
Do you have an electric buffer to try instead of doing it by hand?
The problem seems to be the rag or pad gets totally saturated with the nasty stuff that's coming off and within just a few minutes loses any effectiveness. I'd have to constantly change pads on a polisher/buffer.
I looked at some of the home remedy methods like the flour/vinegar but I'm not sure how I'd mix up enough to cover 48 sq ft, then dispose of what was left.
I want an easy solution, dammit! Not something where I have to put effort into it.
[Coffee]
Tinelement
06-08-2015, 20:33
How deep are the scratches? That will determine your starting process.
And what kind of polish are you going for will determine your end finish.
It's broad I know, but any metal can be polished to a mirror.
Bailey Guns
06-08-2015, 20:43
Really no scratches to speak of. I just want it clean and presentable for showing the house.
BPTactical
06-08-2015, 20:53
Try some Simple Green.
The issue with polishing is unless it is kept constantly polished it looks like crapola.
A potential buyer may look at it as a a pain to keep up(which it would be).
If you're not set on a highly polished (mirror) finish, get some gray or white scotchbrite pads for a drill. quick, easy, and doesn't clog. White is the finest finish, should yield a bright matte finish.
Cement cleaner/acid soak, sit, the polish once the tarnish is off. Test the back so you know it works well before you soak the front.
I have a gallon of Iosso. I sprayed the surface, rinsed with water and then polished with Lucas Oil Metal Polish. I did a 2' square sheet for a lady down the street for a craft and it took about 20 minutes total to have a mirror polish on it. She did the assembly then I cleaned up the brazing lines by hand and coated with clear lacquer. Looked great.
Aardvark
06-08-2015, 22:26
Y'find yerself some Sailors and bug juice!
Man, what was that stuff they gave us in basic and tech school? It came in a round blue tin can, and was some sort of wool that seemed to last forever.
....Never Dull! That's the stuff.
Hit it with a abrasive wheel. Make nifty swirly patterns like engine turning.
Great-Kazoo
06-09-2015, 00:03
Keep it as is. The rustic look fits in with a living in the hills lifestyle.
Keep it as is. The rustic look fits in with a living in the hills lifestyle.
It probably doesn't show up in the pictures, but 20 years of grime doesn't look "rustic" in person.
Mykidsdad
06-09-2015, 06:35
Check with an auto detailer. They could run a few passes with polishing compounds and then seal it. It is flat so it should be a nominal job.
Bailey Guns
06-09-2015, 06:41
Keep it as is. The rustic look fits in with a living in the hills lifestyle.
Yeah...it's a little more rustic than I like.
OK...I try some of the suggestions. Thanks.
My friend Jim Hull has a shop called J&S Polishing. 719-477-9484.
I would probably go with a fine cut automotive compound and a heavy buffing wheel. Finish it off with a polish.
Bailey Guns
06-10-2015, 16:39
OK...I found a cheap and easy miracle. 1 part vinegar, 1 part salt and enough flour to make a spreadable paste. Holy crap. I brushed it and before I finished a brush stroke you could see the tarnish disappear. Works on copper and brass and probably other metals. I rubbed it in with a sponge and rinsed it with a garden hose. Took all of 5 minutes. Then spent about 20 minutes with some Brasso and got a good shine. Not a mirror, but nice and clean and shiny.
Got the recipe off some hippy website. I guess they are good for something.
Great-Kazoo
06-10-2015, 16:48
OK...I found a cheap and easy miracle. 1 part vinegar, 1 part salt and enough flour to make a spreadable paste. Holy crap. I brushed it and before I finished a brush stroke you could see the tarnish disappear. Works on copper and brass and probably other metals. I rubbed it in with a sponge and rinsed it with a garden hose. Took all of 5 minutes. Then spent about 20 minutes with some Brasso and got a good shine. Not a mirror, but nice and clean and shiny.
Got the recipe off some hippy website. I guess they are good for something.
Probably taking pictures of their work is one of them. [Beer]
OK...I found a cheap and easy miracle. 1 part vinegar, 1 part salt and enough flour to make a spreadable paste. Holy crap. I brushed it and before I finished a brush stroke you could see the tarnish disappear. Works on copper and brass and probably other metals. I rubbed it in with a sponge and rinsed it with a garden hose. Took all of 5 minutes. Then spent about 20 minutes with some Brasso and got a good shine. Not a mirror, but nice and clean and shiny.
Got the recipe off some hippy website. I guess they are good for something.
That's awesome. I'm going to add that recipe to my Household notebook. Glad to hear you found a painless and quick solution! :)
cheap, non-toxic, and effective [Beer]
Think this would mess up the seasoning on cast iron?
Think this would mess up the seasoning on cast iron?
You can use salt to scrub cast iron down, I don't know if vinegar would break down the grease or not. Just a good coating of kosher salt, little water and some elbow grease will get off burnt on stuff
Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.
That's exactly what I do now to clean them. Salt and some oil. Like you, no idea how vinegar would react. Probably badly.
My Lodge cast iron skillet is the most non-stick of any of my commercial cookware. Hot water and a dedicated stiff bristle cleaning brush. Pat down dry and wipe with a teaspoon of oil. Never let a drop of any degreasing product touch it.
Bailey Guns
06-11-2015, 06:44
Think this would mess up the seasoning on cast iron?
Yeah...I'd stick to the traditional way of cleaning. Hot water and a brush.
Mykidsdad
06-11-2015, 07:34
After the Brasso, give it a coat of carnuba wax to keep the oxidation from recurring as quickly.
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