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Old 20th Jan 2008, 9:49 am   #4
Mike Phelan
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 4,609
Default Re: Cleaning brass etc

Getting nitric acid might be a bit difficult! Clock cleaning fluid (google for Horolene or a clock material dealer like M&P or A G Thomas). This contains ammonia, detergent and oleic acid. It will brighten brass in an hour or two, but you will probably need to lacquer it afterwards.

Both vinegar (acetic acid) or lemon juice (citric acid) will brighten brass to some extent.

The matt brass finish you see on plug pins and the like is produced by a wash in nitric acid, then water, then chromic acid. All these are only for a few seconds.
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