cleaning brass

Greg Newell gnewell@ameritech.net
Wed, 20 Apr 2005 22:54:32 -0400


Thank you for this formula. Are you advocating Denatured Alcohol or 
Methanol for your "wood alcohol"?

Greg Newell



At 09:00 PM 4/20/2005, you wrote:
>Of course I meant "either" polish it...
>
>Here is a formula for those of you with the desire to make your own 
>cleaner. Wear eye protection and respiratory protection, with gloves! 
>Oleic acid is a very strong soap available from janitorial or restaurant 
>supplies sometimes.
>
>4 oz household non-sudsing ammonia
>2 oz wood alcohol
>4 oz acetone
>1 oz oleic acid
>1 gallon distilled water.
>
>I use this solution, (but bought prepared) to soak large, substantial 
>brass pieces. Overnight is good, but check often. An ultrasonic cleaner is 
>good. Player piano transmissions, soaked momentarily will de-grease almost 
>at once, but NEVER soak plated objects very long...it will remove nickel 
>plating.
>Rinse in very hot water, then with lacquer thinner for intricate things, 
>then dry, using compressed air first, then a heat gun, hair dryer, or oven 
>on low.
>
>_______________________________________________
>pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives

Greg Newell
Greg's piano Forté
mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net 



This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC