Copper and brass are two materials that craftsmen and designers love to work with because of their versatility and sturdiness. While the material is impressively strong such that it can build humongous and solid structures, it is also malleable enough to form and shape as needed.
It’s therefore no wonder that copper & brass sales are always in high demand. From renovation projects to interior design refurbishments, to jewelry making and other handicraft projects, the use of these metals remains popular. Here are some tips that can help you better maintain the copper and brass elements to keep your work or design looking good.
Bathroom and Kitchen Fixtures
During renovation projects, delays sometimes occur. For bathroom redesigns, this delay can affect the appearance of the fixture, especially because they are constantly exposed to moisture. If you want to make sure that everything is shining and glittering like new when you unveil your design masterpiece to your client, use a simple homemade mixture of baking soda and white vinegar.
This mixture should give rise to a paste-like material, which you will then rub onto metal fixtures. Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth so that you will not scratch the brass or copper fixture. Rub the mixture all of over the object and soon, you’ll see it gleaming once more. If the material features intricate shapes with crevices, a soft-bristled brush may be the better cleaning too to take care of the hard-to-reach areas. Brush firmly but also gently enough such that you won’t inadvertently scratch the surface.
This technique is also applicable for fixtures in other parts of the house, such as the kitchen. With the tarnish gone, it becomes a lot easier to appreciate the full aesthetic design of the material, especially if there are engravings on it.
Jewelry
Meanwhile, jewelry designers also need to take care of the yellow metals that they incorporate in their creations. Especially because these items are meant to be worn and put on display, it is important to keep them looking great at all times.
Copper and brass jewelry can be cleaned using the same vinegar and baking powder mixture. However, to truly avoid scratches and reach even tiny crevices, it would help to use a soft bristle brush. Soaking in hot water makes it easier for the dirt to loosen from the jewelry.
Using mild soap and water also helps get the jewelry clean. After the initial brushing, you can also let the item soak in the soap and water mixture to allow the deep-seated dirt to lift off or be washed away. You can do this a couple more times until you are satisfied with its shine.
One surprising ingredient you can use to clean brass jewelry is tomato ketchup. You may not think this can do your craft jewelry any good, but actually, it does. Just put a small dab–it should be enough for small to mid-sized items such as rings, bracelets, and even necklaces.
Another important thing to note is that you should let the jewelry air-dry. It may seem tempting to simply wipe it dry, but the entire point of air-drying is to allow the dampness from the inner crevices of the jewelry to dry completely.
Before you get to any of that, first make sure that you’re getting quality brass and copper materials. If you’re planning on working continuously on a huge batch of output, it’s advisable that you get your metals in bulk at a wholesale rate. Not only is this going to be more convenient for you, but also cost-efficient in the long run. Suppliers like Rotax Metals can provide the materials you need.
Sources:
Bronze, Brass and Copper Cleaner. OregonMetro.gov.
Copper and Brass Tarnish Remover. TheBalance.com.
