Does anybody know how to......

[Amber1571]

clean brass window handles? I have taken them all off the windows and they are covered in splashes of old paint and grime and goo, etc. Yuk!

Any ideas how I can get them sparkling clean and shiny again?

Many thanks and Happy New Year to you all.

x

[buildersmate]

Brass oxidises in contact with air and very soon goes brown from yellow. It was a regular job for someone to clean them up. For the last 20 odd years, manufacturers have put clear lacquer on brass so they stay shiny and make the life of the houseperson (very PC) easier. The reason for telling you this story is to warn you not to attack them with something to tough, or you will have a different job in future as the lacquer will come off.
I've had some success with washing-up liquid and using one of those green pot scourers - the paint generally comes off the lacquer. But don't rub too hard.

[sir.prize]

Here are a couple of links worth reading

http://www.oldhouseweb.com/stories/Detailed/10 320.shtml

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/brass

[heathfield]

I tend to use extra fine grade steel wool, followed by a metal polish called 'Solvol Autosol', found in car accessory shops. It's a chrome polish, but is superb on almost all metals. It will easily remove any dulling caused by the steel wool. It's also available from Lakeland Limited (for over twice the price!) under the name 'Maas Metal Polish'.
But when I've finished, I wash the item in hot water using washing up liquid, make sure it's absolutely dry, and apply two coats of 'Diamond-Hard' gloss polyurathane varnish, allowing the first coat to dry thoroughly before putting on the second.
By the above method, even my brass doorhandles, subject to heavy use, stay bright and unmarked.