Restoring brass artifacts

[flymolo]

Anyone have any good guides or resources online for restoring old brass artifacts found in saltwater? I've got a bunch of brass I'd like to clean up this winter. I've soaked a few objects in vinegar and hit them with a nylon brush afterwards, which yielded decent results on newer artifacts, but the older ones are going to take more than that.

 

[GiraffeMarineSalvage]

I've had good results with barkeeper's friend. My general understanding is to get the best results preserving fine details is always going to be pretty labor intensive, although I am curious about the ultrasonic parts cleaner option mentioned at How to Clean Brass and Remove Tacky Tarnish

 

[happy-diver]

Yeah that's it deface your ocean patinated treasures so they look like all the other crap brass from the junk shop

 

[GDHLEWIS]

I find using warm tomato sauce / ketchup. smother the object you want cleaning in the stuff, let it sit for 10-15 minutes in a warm location, soft tooth brush and or sponge will get most tarnish off easily enough

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

Yeah that's it deface your ocean patinated treasures so they look like all the other crap brass from the junk shop

I don't think I would have put it quite like that but why not leave that gorgeous patination on it? All that discoloration and variation of surface tells its story and gives it life and history. You can get shiny brass anywhere. Keep them crusty. You can always polish it some point. You can't put all those years back on it.

 

[acxc]

sandblast cabinet, wire wheel, buffer

 

[Celt]

This works,

SHONA - CLEANING BRASS...

 

[ontdiver]

@flymolo : I seem to recall that vinegar and salt (which works as a mild abrasive) does a good job on brass. I have to echo the thoughts of others, however, that preserving the item "as found" is a more vivid reminder of the item's history. But ultimately your choice if a cleaned up item is what you want...

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Big Turd 2005

 

[Scared Silly]

Big Turd 2005

Nothing like a nicely polished turd.