Brass Cleaner

[Goofy]

I have 'inherited' a brass door knocker. Han't been cleaned for at least 60 years. Managed to get a lot of thegrime off, but unable to clean in teh grooves.
Is there anything I can soak it in or other ideas?
Thanks

[TWR]

Brazo & a Tooth Brush.

[TWR]

Brasso

[tamborine]

Coke cola

[RATTER15]

Coke cola

[stuey]

Obviously, I don't know what it really look like; however, items such as that are sometimes best left alone as they are, especially if the have an attractive patina on them...In essence, by cleaning it, you're erasing 60 years of history.

[maggiebee]

I would leave the grooves as they are.

[Goofy]

no nice patina about this!
will havea go with coke. took the patina off my teeth for sure!

[stuey]

In that cast, Goofy, try Autosol Metal Polish. I use it to clean really gungy clock movements: you almost need sunglasses when you're finished:) It's available over there at Halfords, and perhaps other stores.

[stuey]

"case" not "cast".

[stuey]

I should add that the clock movements are composed of brass.

[stuey]

To get into little nooks and crannies, you could give it a pre-soaking in gasoline or carb. cleaner, and then use the metal polish.

[bert_h]

Here is an excellent home-made solution for loosening grime and tarnish on brass :-

1 teaspoon cream of tartar powder, 1 teaspoon washing-up liquid, mix to a smooth paste with a little cold water, add half a pint of very hot but not boiling water, immerse the item for 2 minutes, remove and rinse, then use a cream cleanser or (my favourite) Astonish paste on it. This tip is from the archives of Meccano enthusiasts, who often have very grimy and tarnished brass items to clean up!

To get into the grooves, or the teeth in the case of old Meccano gear wheels, it's difficult to find a really hard (smoker's) toothbrush nowadays, but some nailbrushes are firm enough to do the trick.

[Goofy]

thanks all
lots of food for thought

[stuey]

Any chance of a photo when you're finished the cleaning, Goofy?

[stuey]

I don't have a "before' photo, but this clock movement was really, really dirty prior to using the Autosol metal polish. http://i62.tinypic.com/xc7ma.jpg

[waterboatman]

Autosol and a nail brush.