cleaning tips wanted

[vicious_sid]

My mother has just given me an old hurricane lamp for when I go fishing. however it is in a filthy state, the bottom half is brass, for which I've been told using tomato ketchup is just the thing to clean it but the top half is enamel (I think). anyone have any suggestions of what I can use to clean this?

[Jugglering]

Any mild acid will clean up the brass (from vinegar to ketchup) - but the vinegar will be easier to rinse off afterwards !

Enamel is just glass - ground, powdered silica (sand) mixed with various oxides to add colour and then bonded by fusion to a heat-softened metal surface in a kiln, so I would think just warm soapy water should clean this part up. Use a toothbrush to remove any dirt in crevises and be very gentle.

You could always take the lamp to your local chandler and ask for their advice if you're not sure.