How to Polish Brass
Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, is prone to tarnishing—but whether it's a brass lamp or a brass monkey, with the right technique it's a cinch to polish.
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You Will Need
- Some tarnished brass
- Several clean cotton cloths
- A bowl of water mixed with a dash of mild soap
- A pair of cotton gloves
- And brass polish
- A toothbrush or cotton swab
Steps
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Step 1
Make sure brass isn't lacquered
Make sure your brass isn't lacquered by checking for any discoloration where the lacquer has chipped—or by consulting a professional. You should not polish lacquered brass.
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Step 2
Wash brass
Wash the brass, using mild soapy water and one of the cloths.
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Step 3
Put on cotton gloves
Put on your cotton gloves to protect your fingers from the polish and the brass from the natural oils in your skin.
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Step 4
Dry brass completely
Dry the brass completely with a clean, dry cloth.
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Step 5
Apply polish
Apply polish to another cloth and polish the entire item.
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Use a toothbrush or small cotton swab to get to hard-to-reach areas.
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Step 6
Buff brass dry
Buff the brass dry with a clean dry cloth and admire your shiny, shiny brass.
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The slang term "brass monkey" seems to have originated in 1857 with the phrase "It would freeze the tail off a brass monkey."
