Metal Care

How-To Guide

Brass

Routine brass care starts with warm water and mild dish soap, then commercial brass polish rubbed in circular motions for shine. Stubborn tarnish may need very fine 0000 steel wool, while lacquering with a clear protective coat after cleaning with acetone or mineral spirits slows future tarnish significantly.

How-To Guide

Silver

Silver tarnishes when trace hydrogen sulfide in the air reacts with the surface to form black silver sulfide. Light tarnish lifts with a baking-soda paste or gentle calcium-carbonate polish; heavier tarnish needs commercial silver polish or fine steel wool. An aluminum-foil-and-baking-soda bath reverses tarnish electrochemically without abrading away any silver.