posted 4 years ago
Nicole is right. To get the grime off you need to use an acid to remove the patina.
Just how dirty is your brass?
I bought a beat up old house years ago. It had a 2 foot piece of brass railing in a bathroom. It was used as a handicap bar to get into the tub. Probably installed 50 years ago before there were handicapped items. It looked like it had NEVER been cleaned. It was black! Seriously black! Tried a dozen products, scrubbed it till my knuckles bled. Nothing worked.
Until I found 'Barkeepers Friend Cleanser'. Made a paste with water. Wiped it on. 15 minutes later scrubbed it off. And the brass was beautiful! With no patina left it is the color of solid gold! The natural patina comes back after a few months.
It has an abrasive agent but the main ingredient is oxalic acid which is also in spinach, brassicas and rhubarb. It's a lot stronger then lemon juice. I use it most of the time now. Works great on stainless steel, the stove and lots of other things. And I too use ketchup on copper.
Get's the job done so I spend lots more time in my garden.