cleaning up brass hardware

Any suggestions on shining up the brass hardware on an old OT? Should I even bother?

 

Sure, it won't last but its great for pictures and special occasions. Any brass cleaner you're comfortable with (like Brasso). Don't use a buffing wheel except on the bench as one can't control them precisely. Elbow grease. Ever hear the term "brass monkey"? Get a couple.

 

Thanks, I was hoping that there would be some fabulous invention that I could just dip them in for a sparkling shine. Time to roll up the sleeves.

 

From my navy days: BRASSO.

From my submarine days (when we couldn't foul the atmosphere with something so "volatile"): citric acid. Stick a penny into a lemon -- it comes out shiny brite. Use some orange or lemon "kool aid" powder on a damp rag to scour off any discoloration from brass or bronze, works great!

 

now that's the kind of information I was looking for. Many thanks!

 

Final brass polish

After you have the major tarnish and oxidation removed with Brasso or citric acid, try ordinary lipstick for a final polishing compound. Rub it on a brass part and polish with a soft cloth and elbow grease. It gives a fantastic polish that lasts for, oh a week or two, until the brass starts tarnishing again from natural oxidation.

Jewelers Polishing Rouge is made from the same compound as lipstick.

 

I made up a home brew that I found on this web site.
http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howtos/ht/brasscleaner.htm
I soaked all the screws in this solution for two nights then used a tooth brush to clean them up. The results were great and making our own cleaner was fun for my son.

Bob