Enchantra Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Alright I was having a happy time using my Dremel to whisk corrosion off the brass candlesticks I found at the dump. Now, the problem is, the Dremel isn't doing things as well as I thought it would and it just took me an HOUR to get rid of most of the corrosion on just one surface and the bits I have bought won't fit in the curves of the piece. Alright Chemical people, what can I dip this brass puppy into to help me along here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastman Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Have you tried giving it a good dose of Brasso or some similar polish? I remember Brasso as being very good on corrosion when I used it years ago, but that was 10+ years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enchantra Posted September 21, 2004 Author Share Posted September 21, 2004 Oddly I haven't even heard of Brasso. Care to describe the packaging for me so I know what to look for when I go to the store? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladystorm Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 brasso Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qwyksilver Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 I'd also recommend calling the manufacturer again for their recommendations on what to use to remove the corrosion. Either them, or a local antique dealer you trust in the area. That way you can be sure it will be done safely. They might also be able to let you know if the degree of corrosion makes the item unsalvagable, which might have been why they were tossed in the first place. I don't know enough about brass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastman Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Brasso was packaged in a rectangular metal can with a plastic cap. looks like this: http://www.stanleylondon.com/brasso.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enchantra Posted September 21, 2004 Author Share Posted September 21, 2004 Thanks for the links eastman and LS! Now I shall look for some locally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wreckmaster Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 I have heard of people having good results removing rust with naval jelly. I may have misspelled the name, but it available in hardware stores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qwyksilver Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Oh man that's gross. Naval jelly, is that what happens when belly button lint stays around too long? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spartan6 Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Being in the Army ..and having polished miles of brass in my time... Brasso is definitely the "A" answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastman Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 I have heard of people having good results removing rust with naval jelly. I may have misspelled the name, but it available in hardware stores. I think Naval Jelly is just for rust on Iron and Steel, I've never used it on brass. If you ever use the stuff, do it outside in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves. One full breath of the fumes and your lungs will ache for a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durak Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Use the brasso, thats what we used to polish belt buckles and Class A buttons in the military. One addition to this, use your dremel soft (Or cloth) tip to polish it. Other wise it will take you all day will a hand cloth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadaver Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Or you can use lemonade with only one quart of water and no sugar. Works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Froggy the Great Posted September 21, 2004 Moderator Share Posted September 21, 2004 You could also try (I think) Tripoli jewelry polish with your felt wheel to get the corrosion off. That's what I used in jewelry class in HS. Once you get the corrosion off, Brasso or again with the felt or cloth dremel wheel, use rouge polish. The names might be completely off or silly; it was ten years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abngi Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 I am amazed that nobody pointed out the superior method of corrosion removal: Use the candlesticks to create a master mold, then melt them down to boil off the impurities. Recast, polish, and presto! Rust-free metal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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