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How To Remove Scratches From Brass Surfaces
When you constantly use the brass objects in your home (such
as candlesticks that regularly come out at dinner parties or kitchenware that
is used at least once a week) you may notice that, over time, it has developed
a number of scratches. If you would like to repair these scratches and return
your brass objects to their former glory, all you need to do is follow a few
simple steps.
Step 1: Check to see whether your brass has been coated with
a lacquer; if so, the scratch may not have transferred to the metal beneath.
Buff the objects thoroughly, then apply a cloth soaked with a little acetone to
the mark. If it disappears you can simply reapply the lacquer.
Step 2: If the scratch has managed to affect the brass below
the lacquer or the object was not lacquered at all, you should begin by
polishing the lightest marks you can see with an appropriate polish.
Step 3: If the scratches are a little deeper, you will need
to use abrasion to restore the brass. Begin with a gentle abrasive, like a
jeweler’s rouge, and buff in a circular motion. Then move onto an emery cloth
or steel wool, which you can wipe across the marks. Finish by polishing the
metal.
For deeper scratches or for brass objects that you are
hesitant to try cleaning up yourself, you can take them to a jeweler or
metalworker to have the scratches worked out professionally. Remember to wear
gloves and safety glasses when handling the chemicals used to treat brass; this
will also avoid fingerprints when it comes time to polish the metal.