Polished Brass Maintenance
How to maintain your polished brass rails and components
Our collection of brass pieces, including tubing, brackets and end caps, are already polished. Polishing and lacquering brass helps to prevent tarnishing, but over time, tarnishing may occur either way. Tarnishing is a natural process that occurs when the lacquer disintegrates because of environmental conditions such as air pollutants, ultraviolet rays, salt air and other chemicals.
To help your polished brass stay tarnish-free, follow these steps:
- Before actually installing your polished brass, put non-abrasive automobile wax on the surface. Apply the wax 2 or 3 times a year.
- You will most likely be combining the brass materials with other materials on your bar or in the bar area. Make sure other materials with stains and paints do not come in contact with the brass until the waxed components are completely dry.
- To clean, moisten a soft cloth with water and a small amount of soap. Do not use abrasive cleaners on the polished brass or it will scratch the surface.
If tarnishing does occur, follow these steps to increase the longevity of your polished brass rails:
- Take off the old lacquer with paint stripper and wipe clean.
- Apply a new coating of polish to the brass and wipe clean.
- Apply a polymer car wax cleaner over the polish and wipe clean.
- Finish by applying a coating of polyurethane sealer over the wax and buff using a soft rag.
