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It’s tough to beat the shiny, majestic look of brass handles. The only problem is they can tarnish and get dirty over time. Eventually, they can even oxidize and form a green powder on the surface. Fortunately, it’s actually really easy to clean and polish brass so you can keep your handles looking beautiful for a long, long time. To make the job even easier, we’ve answered a few of the most common questions that folks have about what it takes to clean brass handles.
Steps
Question 4 of 6:
How do you remove green oxidation from brass?
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Wipe the surface with mineral spirits to remove grease and dirt. When brass oxidizes and corrodes, it can form a green powder on the surface. Take some mineral spirits, also known as white spirit, and apply it to a clean cloth or swab. Wipe down the surface of the brass to remove any grime that may be covering the oxidation so it’s easier to remove. [7] X Research source
- Mineral spirits put off noxious fumes, so be sure to work in a well-ventilated area.
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2Push off the green corrosion with a wooden skewer. Take a wooden skewer, bamboo kebab stick, or even a bamboo chopstick and trim the end to form a chisel shape. Gently scrape and push the powdery green oxidation off of the surface of the brass. Then, wipe the surface clean with more mineral spirits. [8] X Research source
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Tips
- The oils on your skin can lead to tarnishing, so try to touch the brass as rarely as you can. [11] X Research sourceThanks
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Warnings
- Make sure you work in a well-ventilated space if you’re using noxious chemicals such as mineral spirits.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/surface/how-to-clean-brass/
- ↑ Susan Stocker. Professional Cleaner. Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-brass/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-brass/
- ↑ Susan Stocker. Professional Cleaner. Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.
- ↑ Susan Stocker. Professional Cleaner. Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.
- ↑ http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/c/caring-for-your-copper-brass-bronze-and-other-alloys/
- ↑ http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/c/caring-for-your-copper-brass-bronze-and-other-alloys/
- ↑ https://wd40.ca/product-uses/five-steps-for-cleaning-household-metals/
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