Brass finishing

[Tom Servinsky]

Hi Wim,
  We have been using an acid wash for sometime and have found this to be the
best and safest way to clean brass.
We use a pre-packaged formula sold as a tile & porcelain cleaner.  The
active ingredient is Hydrochloric acid.
Simply soak the hinges in this for a few minutes and presto...clean.
We then follow that up with a citrus  clean/polisher which neutralizes the
acid. Otherwise the acid will continue to eat away. Water also will
neutralize the acid. Next wipe with a clean cloth and you are done..except
for the clear lacquer coating.
Long lid hinges are a breeze with this stuff, as with other delicate brass
parts.  This beats getting on your hands and knees looking for the small
hinge which just thrown from the buffing wheel to the other end of your
shop.
This concept originated from James Reeder's shop which uses a similar
solution sold as "clock cleaner". It basically does the same thing.
We have dramatically reduce all of our buffing time down to a small
percentage of work.
Give a try.
Tom Servinsky, RPT
----- Original Message -----
From: <Wimblees@AOL.COM>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2001 3:21 PM
Subject: Re: Brass finishing


> In a message dated 6/12/01 9:31:21 AM Central Daylight Time,
> rinkyd@pacbell.net writes:
>
> << How do you go about cleaning, polishing and finishing brass hinges?
>  Thanks
>
>  Phil Frankenberg
>  Chico Ca.
>   >>
> Find a good plater, and pay them to do the work. Be sure to get it
laquered.
>
> Willem