Tarnish remover for brass.

[poniatowski]

Hi All,
I don't use brass polish on my helmets, but wanted to remove some tarnish without creating a lot of shine. Looking on line for 'natural brass cleaners', they mentioned vinegar and baking soda, but one that intrigued me was 'Ketchup'. So, I took an old .50 caliber casing and applied some. After waiting ten minutes, I removed the gooey stuff and it actually worked. Obviously, it's the vinegar, acid from the tomatoes and a little salt that are doing the cleaning.
Use it or not, I thought I'd share the results.

Zu Prosit!

Ron

 

[GFMMackensen]

Good find!

 

[b.loree]

Heinz or French’s?

 

[chinstrap]

Heinz or French’s?

Hi All,
I don't use brass polish on my helmets, but wanted to remove some tarnish without creating a lot of shine. Looking on line for 'natural brass cleaners', they mentioned vinegar and baking soda, but one that intrigued me was 'Ketchup'. So, I took an old .50 caliber casing and applied some. After waiting ten minutes, I removed the gooey stuff and it actually worked. Obviously, it's the vinegar, acid from the tomatoes and a little salt that are doing the cleaning.
Use it or not, I thought I'd share the results.

Zu Prosit!

Ron

Worcestershire sauce also works well, as does Coca-Cola.

 

[Peter B]

Hi All,
I don't use brass polish on my helmets, but wanted to remove some tarnish without creating a lot of shine. Looking on line for 'natural brass cleaners', they mentioned vinegar and baking soda, but one that intrigued me was 'Ketchup'. So, I took an old .50 caliber casing and applied some. After waiting ten minutes, I removed the gooey stuff and it actually worked. Obviously, it's the vinegar, acid from the tomatoes and a little salt that are doing the cleaning.
Use it or not, I thought I'd share the results.

Zu Prosit!

Ron

Great hint!

 

[Steve Nick]

Heinz or French’s?

Only a Canadian would pose that question, and BTW it's French's hands down.

 

[poniatowski]

I can't be brand specific. Remember, though this is NOT a polish and, as always, try which brand works best for you. It might be that the non-shining surface isn't something you like.

 

[CLOVIS 57]

Coca-Cola is great for making a bath, as it's a liquid.
The advantage of ketchup is that it's a jelly or cream. So it doesn't run and it works simply by brushing on.
I've had very good results with edible flour mixed with hydrochloric acid. It also makes a pasty jelly, which is very useful for treating fillings without having to soak a whole helmet.

 

[Gunner who?]

I only know of vinegar+salt, which works fine.