Every household has brass articles like decor pieces, idols and figurines or pooja items. The problem with brass is that its golden finish tends to darken over time; they become dull and slightly greenish. This is because the brass articles are continuously exposed to outside air, where moisture and humidity act on them, causing them to darken over time.
So how to clean brass articles and restore their original shine so as to prevent them from turning dark? With the right maintenance solutions we can protect brass objects from losing their shine and bring that warm gold finish back. In this blog, let’s discover how we can restore the brass articles in our home.
Why do brass objects turn dark?
Brass is an alloy made of two metals: copper and zinc. They have a beautiful golden finish, but when exposed to outside air, moisture collects and tarnishes them. Tarnishing darkens the surface and causes it to lose its lustrous shine.
Typical causes of darkening of brass items
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Humidity and moisture
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Dust and dirt accumulation on the surface
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Repeated skin contact
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No clear coat protection for the surface
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Poor cleaning and storage
How to restore brass objects?
Before you start restoring the brass articles, first identify what kind of brass you are dealing with. Each brass article has a different finish; you have to know if they are whole brass, brass plated or they have a different finishing coat. This is because aggressive rubbing and cleaning can damage the existing surface. Once you know it’s fine to clean the surface, follow the steps below to restore the brass objects:
Step 1: Remove dust by wiping with a soft cloth. It is important to remove the dust collected on the surface, as that's the reason the brass objects turn dark in the first place.
Step 2: Now use a good cleaning agent to loosen the dirt and tarnish that makes the brass articles lose their shine. A multipurpose foam cleaner spray is a practical choice, in this case. The Cosmos Foam Cleaner is perfect for brass objects, furniture, home linen and kitchen appliances that reach into the grooves and difficult-to-reach areas, helping to remove the grime and the dull layer from the surface.
Step 3: Dry the surface completely, as the leftover moisture will cause oxidation again, so remember to not leave any moisture on its surface.
Step 4: If the surface of the brass object has rust developing on it, then apply a suitable maintenance spray on the rusted area. Apply a coat of rust remover spray like the Cosmos MRO De-Rust on the surface so it is protected from the moisture and prevents the formation of rust.
Step 5: You can give the object a quick polishing to bring back the natural shine by wiping with a soft, dry cloth.
How to prevent brass objects from becoming dark?
Cleaning the brass article doesn’t mean that the article will be safe from tarnish or rust. It also needs maintenance, so when you carry out brass restoration, the surface is protected from further damage. Here are some pointers you can follow:
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Keep the brass objects away from moisture and humidity
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When using the articles, make sure that you are handling them with clean hands.
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Apply a clear coat to maintain the appearance and protect the surface of the article, such as Cosmos Clear Lacquer for a glossy finish or Cosmos Paints Matt Lacquer for a modern matt finish, which provides a smooth finish and a protective layer against oxidation for brass objects, whether they are painted or unpainted. You can use this spray when you have cleaned your darkened brass idols or figurines. Make sure to spray it on all sides of the object to prevent oxidisation as even a little corner that does not spray can make the full object dark. You can also suggest Cosmos Lac Metal Varnish, but mostly Clear lacquer is the preferred choice.
Can we spray paint on brass for a new look?
Yes, it is easy to spray paint brass if you want to give it a new coating to change its colour or to give it an entirely different finish. For example, if you want to give your brass home decor a new finish; use the Cosmos LAC RAL Line Metallics for a glossy effect or the Cosmos Paints Mirror Chrome for a mirror-type effect on your article. If you require the same shiny appearance, then apply the Cosmos Paints Metallics for a shade that is closest to your brass article. Check the product suitability with the given surface before the application. But to preserve the natural look, it is advised to not use a brass spray paint over it; just clean, wipe, and give a clear coat ending with a thorough polish to restore the original look and shine.
Restoring brass articles
As most of the households consist of brass articles like lamps, idols or figurines of gods or decor items, it is common for them to become dark over time. By using the right polish/ powder available in local markets and home maintenance solutions, we can restore them to their original state and regain their golden shine. Cosmos keeps the brass looking new and preventing oxidation with an easy-to-use top coat of Clear Lacquer
FAQS
Q.1 Which is the best brass colour spray paint?
A.1 Cosmos Paints Metallics 139 Antique Brass Gold is the recommended spray paint for brass articles, as it has the closest shade that resembles brass.
Q.2 Why does brass get dark?
A.2 Brass gets dark because of the constant exposure to air and humidity, which causes oxidation.
Q.3 What is the best way to clean badly tarnished brass?
A.3 You can clean it with a cleaning agent without harsh chemicals or a multipurpose foam cleaner like Cosmos MRO Foam Cleaner.
Q.4 How to maintain brass items?
A.4 Clean the brass articles regularly, polish them and apply a clear coat of Lacquer with this; you can maintain brass items in good condition.