Old Brass Taps

[HH @ 24]

Hi All, I purchased some lovely old brass bath taps for my period bathroom. They have a nice patina on them but don't match the old brass sink taps, so I'm thinking of cleaning them back to the brass so it all co-ordinates a bit better. Does anyone have any ideas on the best way to do this? I tried a test patch with various mixes of bicarb/lemon juice, vinegar, ketchup, but it isn't really doing much. How about Brasso? Thanks!

 

[Cubist]

If doing it myself I would try one of the liquid or paste metal polishes after stripping the taps down to their basic components. I would also use a long, say 18inch/50cm, length of cloth loosely twisted into a rope to apply and work the polish on a two handed basis by pulling each end respectively while its middle is wrapped around the each of the pieces.

If that doesn't do the job to your satisfaction you may be able to find someone locally who provides a metal polishing service for a small fee.

 

[LadyArowana]

Brasso, but the wadding type, not the liquid in a bottle type, wadding will go black and the brass will be covered with a slightly greasy looking film. Polish that off with Blitz paper towel. You have to keep repeating the sequence until it’s nice and ‘brassy’. Our doorbell had been outside, untouched for years and had tape residue from the temporary wifi doorbell, electrcian said “good luck with that” as he handed it over. He underestimated my love of shiny sparkly things. Surgical gloves great for avoidmg filthy hands.

 

[CliffordPope]

I keep a bottle of dilute sulphuric acid drained from old car batteries handy for very corroded brassware. Dip it or paint on with an old brush, and then wash off - it only takes minutes. Then polish in the ordinary way.