Cleaning Brass

I have used various metal polishes to good effect.  Remember that some brass is lacquered to protect the finish, so you have to remove that first.

CountOrlock posted:

If you all don't mind me asking yet another question: I have been cleaning brass components with Brilliant metal polish, which seems to be a mild abrasive and ammonia compound. Yet it is very tedious and seems to create very small scratches on the metal. Also, I fear using it on number/name plates on the brass, in case I ruin them. I've read that some people but a poultice of lemon juice/salt/flour on brass parts, and that does the job nicely. Is that true? Does it ruin any of the metal's luster? Any other suggestions?

The best metal polish I've found is Simi-Chrome (available from many dealers on the net).  But as Rob English says, some brass parts are laquered. 

Just ask any old Army Vet about cleaning and polishing brass and he'll say without hesitation  -

Fabulous stuff

Polish brass.... no, usually I prefer the patina developed over the 50-80 years of existence.

The metal polishes I use on rare occasion are Simichrome and Flitz paste.

I have an old Union Pacific Brass Spittoon like the one below that I occasionally clean and polish... and the best way is a little bit of Flitz and lots of elbow grease!

I use Never dull on all my metal finishing.
Sometimes I clear coat the brass so the shine will last.

Best part is that it does not leave any white compound in any cracks or crevices.
It is a wading, just open the can up tear a piece off and rub the metal after buff with a clean cloth.