Ultrasonic cleaner & brass

[don309]

My daughter has some antique brass handles, she wants to put in my cleaner. Now I do a lot of small engine carburetors, with Simple Green HD. And the aluminum comes out like new. Who has done brass and what solution are you using?? I don't want to mess up her handles!!
Thanks, Don

 

[nadogail]

I have no personal experience to contribute but simple green should serve you well.

 

[Montauket]

dawn with a little lemishine dishwashing detergent has worked for me.

 

[Mr.N]

Why not start out simple with just distilled Water, a little vinegar and a couple of drops of soap?
Make sure you rinse well with water.
Maybe start with just water and a drop of soap and slowly add more. If it is not working you can always go to simple green, however if simple green does something you don't like it's harder to go backwards.
Which is more important to you: managing your time or ensuring she isn’t disappointed?

 

[dogdog]

Never Dull or Brasso is what I used. works wonders. but also leave your hands and finger black.


maybe a buffing wheel and brasso? maybe a drill buffing wheel those clothes ones ?



otherwise I have use dish soap on a brass cylinder and ultrasonic cleaner. works ok. but won't be shinny

 

[don309]

Ensuring she isn’t disappointed. I had a practice piece, and a mason jar of water-Simply Green. I added 1 table spoon of Bar Keepers Friend cleanser. Ran the ultrasonic 7 mins., It worked great!
I did this before getting online, to see the replies.

 

[MoonRise]

The brass handles MAY have been coated with something like lacquer.

If so, you probably will have to chemically strip any coating before trying to use the ultrasonic to clean the brass. Unless you are just trying to remove general dirt and grime.

And another thing to check is if the handles are actual brass or if they are brass-plated steel or pot metal.

And just what level of 'clean' are you trying for? Just removing dirt and general grime, or all the way to mirror polished?

some general info: https://rotaxmetals.net/what-is-a-good-metal-cleaner-and-how-to-clean-brass-items-properly/

 

[Mr.N]

The brass handles MAY have been coated with something like lacquer.

If so, you probably will have to chemically strip any coating before trying to use the ultrasonic to clean the brass. Unless you are just trying to remove general dirt and grime.

And another thing to check is if the handles are actual brass or if they are brass-plated steel or pot metal.

And just what level of 'clean' are you trying for? Just removing dirt and general grime, or all the way to mirror polished?

some general info: https://rotaxmetals.net/what-is-a-good-metal-cleaner-and-how-to-clean-brass-items-properly/

Awesome post. Only thing I can add is brass is not magnetic.

 

[cvairwerks]

I've been using some stuff from Jax chemical for cleaning my small brass and copper stuff. Only takes a few minutes. Much of what I'm dealing with is heavily oxidized or corroded.

JAX Instant Brass and Copper Cleaner - JAX Chemical Company

A heavy-duty cleaner that removes tarnish and oxidation from the blackest copper, brass and bronze.

jaxchemical.com

 

[don309]

You put the Ajax cleaner in a a ultrasonic cleaner?

 

[cvairwerks]

Nope, Jax's chemicals are used as a either a wipe on/off or a dip and brush. No need for the ultrasonic agitation.

 

[PWC Repair]

I use "Awesome" cleaner in my unltrasonic with the heat cranked up to clean all kinds of stuff. It seems to really shine up the brass adjusters and seats on the jet ski carbs.

 

[Stuart in MN]

The brass handles MAY have been coated with something like lacquer.

They may also have some sort of patina finish instead of a bright polish, so check that first so you don't remove something that's supposed to be there.

Be careful with what cleaning products you use. I recall once as a kid I was cleaning my brass trombone; I squirted some Dawn dish washing detergent directly on the bare brass, and it tarnished right before my eyes. I had to spend quite a bit of time repolishing it.

 

[BrandonV]

Glad to hear it worked out. If you're looking for something stronger any sporting good store should sell ultrasonic case cleaner solution for cleaning spent brass ammunition cases. Usually its citric acid based.

Certainly will clean brass effectively but could be damaging to any delicate finishes or surface treatments. I watched a gun store employee accidently clean his Beretta 92FS in the case cleaner and not the general gun cleaner in an ultrasonic machine and the citric acid stripped the barrel finish straight down to the stainless steel.