[BobnBev]

I have several brass pieces, including a Samovar, from Saudi, that need a good cleaning and polishing. Any ideas?

[villagetinker]

If you are doing this yourself, there are several very good brass polishes, I have used Brasso many times. If you are looking for someone to polish these, I do not have any recommendations. While I have done this in the past for friends, it can be very labor intensive, and in many cases the pieces (IMHO) looked better in the original state and not polished.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Brass looks best when it's aged and oxidized, properly "greened" at the seams and in all spots where shadows might be cast.

But if you want to just clean it up a bit without ruining the patina you can do this:

Mix a paste of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and lemon juice. Proportion is 1:1. With a soft cloth, a rag ripped from an old tee shirt - gently rub the paste over the surface of the item. Use the edge of a butter knife to carefully press the paste into indentations. Do /not/ make sawing motions with the knife. You just want the paste to coat the surface.

Let it sit there for around 10 minutes. Wet and wring the rag so it's damp but not dripping, and wipe the paste gently in one direction over the whole thing. Then rinse the rag again and wipe it again, getting most of the paste off. Then rinse it all under the tap, and pat it dry with a dry piece of rag. Never scrub brass with anything abrasive, because it will scratch and ruin the patina.

[RayMan]

Apply some ketchup on the brass pieces, and let it sit for 15-20 minutes....then wipe off / wash off. If the pieces are heavily tarnished, you may need to reapply a second time. Amazing results!!

[BobnBev]

All good suggestions...thanks

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by BobnBev

I have several brass pieces, including a Samovar, from Saudi, that need a good cleaning and polishing. Any ideas?

OMG......I can hear Danny Kaye's "Samovar Tea Cossacks" from the "Indiana Radio Montage" track in "The Five Pennies". You probably have no idea what I'm referring to but .......that's OK. I know.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

OMG......I can hear Danny Kaye's "Samovar Tea Cossacks" from the "Indiana Radio Montage" track in "The Five Pennies". You probably have no idea what I'm referring to but .......that's OK. I know.

Here you go (for anyone inquisitive enough to listen)...........

https://youtu.be/TNUd6eEVdG8?si=eeCSXihwAbfAOCdi