how can i remove remove stains and pitting from brass bed nob's?

Question

i got a very old iron bed from a friend,it has been expossed to damp for some time while stored in a shed, there's a lot of rust that i can sort but the nobs have gone real rough. i been told they are solid brass but it looks to me as if rust has attacked the edges
any advice on this would be great, cheer's john / limerick.

Answer 1

I have tried all the above methods and they are very hard work. There is a splendid new product that beats the lot, is effective and saves a lot of elbow grease called "The butler's friend" available from good supermarkets or your local Kleeneeze rep.
Our fenders had really engrained dirt, and some old brassware we inherited was eaten by verdigris, and it worked like magic.

Answer 2

If they have gone rusty at the edges, it sounds as though the knobs are only brass plated. If so, you could seek out a local electroplating firm, to have them refurbished. The price may be too high, though. Harpic toilet cleaner cleans up badly tarnished solid brass very well, (but they may have traces of old lacquer on them, originally applied to keep them shiny). Buff up with Brasso afterwards.

Answer 3

Brasso is good, but it will need doing regularly.

You are best off using brasso and then lacquering the brass with some clear lacquer, like the stuff you use on a vehicle. You can buy it in small spray cans!

Answer 4

Try lemon juice and coarse sea salt to get the roughness off then it's elbow grease with brasso. You used to be able to get oxalic acid from hardware stores and chemists but I don't know if you can still get it or not.It comes from rhubarb leaves so rubbing the brass with the sap of them might help. Dunno ,it was just an afterthought.

Answer 5

a product called Brasso.My brother used it while in the Marines to keep his brass in tip top shape.Should do the same with some elbow grease. good luck

Answer 6

diluted vinegar on a cloth rub then wipe with a fresh damp cloth

Answer 7

try using never dull or brasso.........good luck!~