How to Polish Brass

From ketchup to nail-polish remover, household “tricks” for cleaning brass abound. But skip them: Unless the piece needs stripping, an inexpensive brass cleaner from the supermarket is the best tool for the job. This video demonstrates a simple way to get brass polished.

From ketchup to nail-polish remover, household “tricks” for cleaning brass abound. But skip them: Unless the piece needs stripping, an inexpensive brass cleaner from the supermarket is the best tool for the job. This video demonstrates a simple way to get brass polished.

What You Need

  • rubber gloves
  • warm soapy water
  • toothbrush
  • two clean cloths
  • brass cleaner

Follow These Steps

  1. Rinse brass with soap and water
    Wearing rubber gloves, thoroughly wash your brass piece with a clean cloth and warm soapy water to remove any dust or dirt. Use a toothbrush to get at grime in hard-to-reach places.  
    Tip: Unsure your piece is brass? If it is, magnets won’t stick to it.
  2. Polish with brass cleaner
    Use a cloth to gently rub cleaner all over your brass item.
  3. Buff the brass to a shiny finish
    Using a clean, dry cloth, rub off any excess cleaner, then buff brass to a burnished finish. To avoid tarnishing the piece, don’t handle it with your bare hands until it’s completely dry.

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