There is no doubt that metal’s illustrious shine is what makes it such a commonly used material for many everyday items like jewelry, doorknobs, and the like. Unfortunately, everyday wear and tear can take its toll on metals like brass, which result in the metal coating losing much of its shine and luster. In some cases, you may also begin to see tarnish forming due to exposure to the air and even the natural oils secreted by our skin.

Fortunately, a good cleaning and polishing is all it takes to restore the vibrancy of most metals. What is a good metal cleaner? That would depend. You’ll need to use the right type of cleaning solution based on the type of metal you’re working with.

Different Cleaning Solutions

The best thing to clean metal varies based on the metal itself. For example, you probably wouldn’t want to use anything with a high ammonia content when cleaning the surface of brass. Large concentrations of ammonia will only lead to further corrosion via large swaths of bluish deposits.

In the case of brass, there are a wide range of cleaning solutions that you can use without fear of tarnishing the metal. These include:

Quality Brass Cleaners

There are many different chemical brass cleaners available in your local hardware stores or supermarkets. These cleaners are specially formulated to thoroughly clean the surface of brass items without tarnishing the surface. Chemical brass cleaners are also designed to add a protective layer onto the surface of brass. This layer helps keep brass looking brand new for longer and helps protect the metal from corrosion.

Vinegar, Salt, and Flour

What can I use to clean metal if I’m looking for a green solution? Try using this combination of everyday items that you probably already have in your cupboard or pantry. Take a teaspoon of salt and pour it into a half cup of vinegar. Stir this initial mixture until the salt is completely dissolved. Once that’s done, add flour to the mixture until it becomes a thick paste. This paste can then be applied to the surface of brass. Leave the paste on for no more than ten minutes. Rinse the item in warm water and wipe dry with a clean microfiber cloth.

Lemon Juice and Baking Soda

If you want to shine something that you don’t want to go through the hassle of dismantling (doorknobs are a great example), you may want to try this cleaning solution instead. Take a lemon and squeeze its juices into a small bowl. Add a teaspoon of baking soda and mix it well. You can then use a clean cloth to apply the mixture onto the brass surface. After the mixture has dried, use a wet cloth to remove any residue. Reapply the cleaning mixture as needed. Once you’re happy with the results, use a clean cloth to apply polish.

Cleaning Tips to Avoid Damage

The goal of cleaning brass items is to restore its original luster. However, a lot of things can go wrong when cleaning brass if you aren’t careful. The last thing you want to happen when cleaning is accidentally leaving scratches and other forms of damage. Here are a few tips to help you avoid such a situation.

Make Sure It’s Actually Brass

Some items may look like they are made of brass, but actually only have a brass coat on top of a different metal. If this is the case, there is a risk of accidentally scrubbing the brass layer off during cleaning, and there’s no guarantee that the metal underneath is compatible with the cleaning solution you use. The best way to check is to hold a magnet next to the item in question. Magnets won’t stick to pure brass. If you have an item with a brass coat, a simple cleaning mixture of warm soapy water will do.

Use a Clean Microfiber Cloth

Microfiber cloths are specially designed to be much softer and gentler than typical cloths and rags. As a result, clean microfiber cloths are much less likely to leave scratches on the surface of brass items. Of course, the operative word there is “clean”. Avoid using a dirty microfiber cloth when wiping off the cleaning solution. There may be tiny bits of debris stuck to the cloth and rubbing it over brass will lead to scratches. Ideally, have separate cloths for applying and removing.

Wear Gloves When Cleaning

Our skin naturally produces a thin layer of oil. This layer of oil can easily be transferred to the things that we touch. This can be a problem when cleaning brass since the oil from our skin is actually a substance that can tarnish brass. To avoid this, make sure you wear gloves while cleaning anything made of brass.

Brass is one of the most common types of metal alloys we encounter and interact with. What is brass alloy used for? It’s used in most doorknobs, jewelry, and the like. In fact, it’s almost a guarantee that you will encounter something that has a component made of brass throughout any given day.

Any one interested in getting into metalworking, whether as a career or as a hobby, will definitely need to learn how to work with brass. Mostly made of various quantities of copper, zinc, and alloying agents (aluminum, lead, etc.), brass is often an alloy of choice among industrial manufacturers, commercial manufacturers, and blacksmithing enthusiasts. Given this, trusted brass suppliers, like Rotax Metals, will offer a wide range of brass alloys to choose from.

Some Common Types of Brass Alloys

Brass is a term that encompasses many different types of metal alloys. All types of brass will be made from a base combination of copper and zinc. Similarly, brass alloys are favored in metalworking because of the material’s inherent durability and resistance to corrosion. The amazing thing about brass is that its properties tend to change based on the ratio of copper to zinc and the kinds of alloying agents used. As a result, different combinations are better suited to different uses of brass metal.

Most suppliers will carry the following:

Alloy 260 is one of the most common types of brass used around the world. It is also known as “70/30 brass”, referencing the alloy’s copper to zinc ratio. It’s a popular choice for a wide range of applications because of how ductile it is. This allows the alloy to be easily formed into various shapes without losing any of the toughness brass is known for. Alloy 260’s unique copper to zinc ratio also makes it less susceptible to dezincification, a type of corrosion wherein the zinc content dissolves over time.

Alloy 280, commonly referred to as Muntz Metal, is a brass alloy with a 60 percent to 40 percent copper to zinc ratio, with trace amounts of iron. Named after its inventor, George Muntz, alloy 280 is prized for its strength and “springiness”. These two main properties are the reason why Muntz Metal is often used to manufacture brass springs, electrical socket components, and the like.

Alloy 385 is better known in the community as Architectural Bronze. Despite its name, it is technically a type of brass alloy due to its high zinc content. Alloy 385 is beloved for its machinability and how easy it is to form the alloy into a desired shape. It is often used for architectural purposes (hence its common name), but it’s also a popular choice among artists and sculptors.

Alloy 464 is widely referred to as Naval Brass. As its name implies, Naval Brass is often used when constructing various boats and naval vessels. Alloy 464 is made with a unique combination of 59 percent copper, 40 percent zinc, 1 percent tin, and trace amounts of lead. This ratio yields brass that boasts incredible resistance to saltwater. Although designed for use in seafaring vessels, Naval Brass is also used in a wide range of machinery that is often exposed to moisture.

Where These Alloys are Used

There are many different ways to use the different types of brass alloys. Some of the most common uses of brass include:

Decorative Purposes

Many items that we use to decorate our homes is made of some kind of brass alloy. Antique candle holders are a fantastic example of brass used for decorative purposes. Brass ornaments and sculptures are also a prime example of decorative brass. If you have any trophies or plaques at home, there is a good chance that the portion engraved with your name is made of engraving brass.

Architectural Purposes

The innate durability and corrosion-resistance of brass makes it a popular alloy for architectural purposes. You’ll often see it used in architectural fascias, trims, and hedges. Certain brass alloys have also been used to help restore or refurbish historical buildings throughout the world.

Electrical and Plumbing Systems

Brass is often used as components of two of the most commonly used systems in your home: your plumbing and electrical system. Brass alloys are used in various components of electrical sockets and switches. In terms of plumbing applications, brass is often used in valves and various pipe fittings like elbows, plugs, and couplings.

Mechanical Components

Brass exhibits minimal friction in settings that require metal-on-metal contact, which is why there are often seen in mechanical components. It isn’t unusual to see a machine using brass gears, locomotive axle boxes, marine engines, and more. Brass hand tools (hammers, flat knives, etc.) are also highly prized due to their incredible durability.

Musical Instruments

There’s a reason why there’s a “brass section” in an orchestra. Historically, brass has been used to produce a wide range of musical instruments. Brass is used to manufacture trumpets, french horns, trombones, and tubas worldwide. Electric instruments, such as electric guitars and electric violins, will also feature brass components in its interior.

Purchasing Brass for Your Project

How do you know which type of brass alloy you should use for your next project? The easiest way to pick out the right kind of alloy is to think about how you plan to use it and what the final product will be. You can easily refer to the common types of alloys and their uses to give you a basic idea of what type you should look for. It’s also a good idea to ask your preferred supplier for advice. Simply let them know how you plan to use the brass and they’d be more than happy to suggest which type of brass works best for your project.

When it’s time to purchase brass for your next project, it’s important that you source your brass from trusted suppliers like Rotax Metals. There are specific methods to manufacture brass sheets, brass rods, and brass angles. Shoddy work will have a significant negative impact on the brass you use, which will affect the quality of the final product. Doing business with respected suppliers will assure you of the quality of the brass alloy, giving you peace of mind.