Removing Tarnish / Patina from Brass Components

[Graham MeekParticipant @grahammeek88282]

Hi all,

I have a few hundred brass components that need cleaning. While I could remove this using Citric Acid. This would remove some of the lustre from the parts.

I am leaning towards using an Ultrasonic cleaner, but have very little recent experience with such devices.

Has anyone used these for cleaning Tarnished Brass parts? If so what was the results like.

Further I would welcome any advice on the easiest model to use. I would much prefer dials to set the machine than pushbuttons. Price would also be a factor.

If there is another method which others have used, I would welcome all suggestions.

Regards

Gray,

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

I think the ultrasonic method would depend a lot on what detergent/cleaning fluid you use – I have had success with a product called SeaClean, but have found it can discolour some metals if you use too strong a solution.

Might a vibratory cleaner, such as reloaders use to clean brass cartridge cases, be a better idea? You can get various types of media – corncob, walnut shells, etc. – with varying degrees of aggressiveness. One cautionary note – don’t put too many parts in at once as they then bang against each other and this can cause unwanted marking.

Where are you located? I’d be happy to either lend you a vibrating cleaner or run the parts through for you if you are in the North-West.

Rob

[Graham MeekParticipant @grahammeek88282]

Thanks for the offer Rob.

Unfortunately some of the parts are Gears and I don’t think the media would be fine enough to get between the teeth.

Regards

Gray,

Forest of Dean.

[BizibilderParticipant @bizibilder]

Look up “Horolene” as used by clock restorers.  Dilute the concentrate and simply immerse the brass components in the solution and leave until clean.  See here: https://priorypolishes.co.uk/product/horolene-concentrate/

or here: https://www.hswalsh.com/manufacturers/horolene?srsltid=AfmBOoqVaqfJPFLrPF8Ne19wWjnJ6YofguxUB5EAVA1ZdICZWSa5WIWV

usual disclaimers apply.

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Plus one for BizBuilder.  I used a similar product Elma Red.  Dilute 1 part Elma to 9 parts water.  Smells a bit like ammonia, so don’t do it in the workshop.  I used it to clean clock parts.

Bob

[Graham MeekParticipant @grahammeek88282]

Thanks Bizbuilder and Rob,

Those are two products I did not know about.

Regards

Gray,

[Phil PParticipant @philp]

Gray

Dont over-do the parts in Horolene, they might come out pink as it leaches the zinc from the brass apparently.
I found this out to my dismay when I left a batch of 400 day clock parts in overnight.

It works really well if you follow the instructions to the letter.

Phil P

 

[Graham MeekParticipant @grahammeek88282]

Thanks Phil,

Thanks for the reply, any advice is welcome especially that gained from experience.

One of the reasons I did not want to use Citric acid was that this would change the colour. I wanted to retain the lustre or sheen on the the components as much as possible.

Regards

Gray,

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

As you obviously understand with citric acid and similar that it reveals the underlying grain structure of brass which has its uses but not here. Also beware that ammonia attacks grain boundaries and can cause cracks in brass clock parts that do not show up until later.

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Since you’ve mentioned ultrasonic cleaners, maybe Allendale would be worth contacting.
As well as cleaners, they also supply a range of different solutions
https://www.allendale-ultrasonics.co.uk/blogs/guides/what-liquid-do-i-use-in-an-ultrasonic-cleaner-your-essential-guide-to-ultrasonic-cleaning-fluids

Bill

[Graham MeekParticipant @grahammeek88282]

Thanks Bazyle, this simple task is proving to be a steep learning curve.

Bill, I did not realise there were so many different solutions available, your link was very informative.

Regards

Gray,

[derek hall 1Participant @derekhall1]

Hello Gray,

When I attended a training course at the BHI, we used Horolene as mentioned by bizibilder.

Horolene has to be used diluted down with water. It is very effective in cleaning brass.

On the BHI course after submerging and allowing the Horolene to clean the components for 5 to 10 mins (longer if very tarnished), the components were then removed from the fluid and washed in warm soapy water. The components were then dried using a hair drier or gentle action using a hot air gun.

Make sure you follow the safety instructions, gloves and glasses are essential.

After the diluted Horolene becomes less effective it needs to be disposed of, I am not sure how to dispose of it to be honest. Currently it lives an old glass bottle!

Regards

Derek

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Disposal of old cleansers: try the Material Safety Data Sheet.

That may advise on it, or give the active ingredient from which you can determine if it is safe to put down the drain or needs some other action.

[Kiwi BlokeParticipant @kiwibloke62605]

I was also worried by possible de-zincification and surface damage to some tarnished brass components of an old accordion. Without much expectation of a cosmetically-satisfactory outcome, I tried some (NaCl) salt and vinegar solution I had to hand for ferrous de-rusting. ‘Fraid I can’t remember the composition of the concoction, it was not following any recipe. Immersion time was less than 10 minutes. There was minimal patchy pinkish discolouration on a few components, but it rubbed off easily (if I’ve remembered correctly – there is none remaining, and I’m too lazy to have done any significant work on the bits other than a bit of a rub with a toothbrush…). The before and after pic of a sample shows a gratifyingly satisfactory result: no post-dunking polishing required! Not up to horological standards, but probably how they left the factory 70 years ago, and good enough for bits that can’t be seen…

Worth a try?

 

 

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

A quite informative article on ultrasonic cartridge case cleaning here

https://www.accurateshooter.com/featured/ultrasonic-case-cleaning/

which might add to, or confirm, some of the methods already suggested. I found it whilst looking for more info on the tumbler method using stainless pins as media, which I’ve heard good things about but not tried myself.

See https://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/reloading/brass-cleaning-with-stainless-media/

I don’t think that method would be suitable for Graham’s clock parts, though, but something to file away in the memory banks.

Rob

[jaCK HobsonParticipant @jackhobson50760]

From Willam R Smith, Clock Repair for Beginners and Advanced Craftsmen:

1 oz oleic acid (i think to keep a bit of shine)

2 oz acetone , 4oz ammonia (the cleaning stuff)

4 oz distilled water (to avoid ‘hard water’ impurities… get the water out the condensing drier if you have one).

 

It does work. Bu horolene is the proper stuff!

 

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Being naturally parsimonious I find Horoclean to be rather expensive.  I use a homemade solution as indicated at the end of this enlightening article on clock cleaning, including the use of ultrasonics if you are in a hurry:

https://www.snclocks.com/TechnicalInformation/Tid-Bits/Clock-Cleaning-Solution

Russell

[Graham MeekParticipant @grahammeek88282]

Thank you all for your responses. I have been enlightened into the art of cleaning brass parts.

With no real need for an Ultrasonic cleaner other than this particular job I have opted for a cleaning solution which just requires immersion for a specific time.

Taking on board the Ammonia problem I have found that the same company that makes Horolene also do a No2 Concentrated Cleaner which is ammonia free. As there is also a price advantage I have some on order and will give this a try.

Regards

Gray,

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

So, using Jacks solution, pop down to the local fat reduction clinic and ask for a kilo of body fat – That should do the trick !  – oleic acid

Bob

[Speedy Builder5]

On Speedy Builder5 Said:

So, using Jacks solution, pop down to the local fat reduction clinic and ask for a kilo of body fat – That should do the trick !  – oleic acid

Bob

I prefer to buy it here:

https://www.mon-droguiste.com/acide-oleique.html

There must be similar UK suppliers.

Russell

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