cleaning brass

[TheOtherHalf]

I bought a little set of post office letter scales with weights and all from an antique shop as a present for someone I know will appreciate them. They are brass and a bit tarnished. Ive tried to clean them but some of the mechanism is quite delicate and cannot get my stubby fingers in the rub properly. Ive asked around the town centre shops if they know someone who could clean them professionally as I think it would be worth it, but no help Im afraid. Anyone any ideas on how to clean them and with what as Ive tried Brasso with doesnt seem to help much
Thanks

[lindapinda]

Using an old toothbrush to get in and around the difficult areas,is quite effective,and clean off and buff up with a soft cloth afterwards,should work quite well ;-)

[TheOtherHalf]

Thanks linda. Ive tried this but its difficult to get into all the little crevices, especially to buff up afterwards but I will keep trying

[coccinelle]

You can also buff up with cotton wool buds for the fiddly parts.

[gingejbee]

We have an electric toothbrush and save all the old heads for this sort of thing. One head for cleaning and another for polishing.

[bednobs]

tomato ketchup?

[merciasounds]

I would leave it if I were you, old stuff is supposed to be old, they get a patina on them and by removing it you could damage the surface

[society]

Perhaps you could tell the person that they are from the antique shop and thought they might lose their value and quality if you had cleaned them before giving it to them.

[TheOtherHalf]

thanks for all your answers. Have cleaned it a bit, but cant really expect it to look as good as new as you say society and mercia. I think they will be pleased with it as it is
Thanks

[whiskeryron]

Just a thought, some of you oldies like me might remember we used to soak an old penny in vinega & it would come up like new, would it work with brass ? Ron.