How to clean neglected brass!

[tjtops]

Any suggestions on a (Spanish) product which will clean badly neglected brass without too much effort please? (I have a large Indian circular tray/table-top which I confess I have had hidden away for 7 years and now want to sell, lol)

[BENIDORM]

tjtops,
As a 'retired' antiques dealer, I have always used the following for very satisfactory results...
To make a brass and copper cleaner..
Mix equal parts of lemon juice and vinegar.
Wipe it on with a paper towel, leave for ten minutes or a bit longer if very dirty, and then polish off with a soft dry cloth...Repeat if required...
You can then use a normal metal polish to attain a high shiny finish if required..
If you are selling the item at a car-boot sale then I would suggest that you leave it uncleaned, it will probably go to a Spanish buyer who really like to buy an 'antique' item in dirty condition....they seem to love polishing brass and copper....
If you are really lazy ..use Cillit Bang......
Hope this helps....
ps...Does it have fold away wooden legs ..or are they missing ?
If no legs I would suggest selling it as a wall-plaque...depending on condition price from 10 euros to 30 euros seems to be the 'going' rate at flea markets...
Regards,
Gordon....

[tjtops]

Awwwww.... thanks so much for that Beni.....really really appreciated and will give it a go!
No, it doesn't have the legs, sadly, and I'm not even sure I still have the little mahogany shelf for the wall....it never did fit in anywhere here...(was displayed on a wall in UK)..hence the neglect...It dates back to the 1920s or maybe even earlier....!!!!

[Mowser]

Brasso? The Chinese & Moroccan shops have a version. It goes under the name of Aladdin by sidol.

[chrissiehope]

A variation on Benidorm's suggestion - I use tomato ketchup to clean copper and brass. It has the acids of vinegar & lemon juice, but its thicker consistency keeps it in one place better - bit of a messy job cleaning off tho'

[tjtops]

use tomato ketchup to clean copper and brass. It has the acids of vinegar & lemon juice

Yikes!!! But I'll try it!!! And thanks

[peteroldracer]

There is, according to the Spanish press, the odd neglected brass in the Guadelahorce area of Málaga.....

[quebin]

Soak in coca cola and then realise what it must do to your insides!

[Alan-LaCala]

Mix equal parts of lemon juice and vinegar

Would this work on a small bronze statue?

Alan

[BENIDORM]

Alan....DON'T clean Bronze...you will remove patination, and de-value it.

If it is in very dirty condition just wash it gently with soap and warm water.

And if it an old piece and maybe signed, I would recommend leaving it alone apart from dusting...

I actually use high quality beeswax if I really need to clean bronze or protect it...

Hope this helps...
Regards,
Gordon.

[Bowler]

Believe it or not H P sauce works a treat, brush it on with a pastry brush, leave overnight then polish with Brasso (or the Spanish equivalent).

[tjtops]

Update: I've just tried Gordon's suggestion (vinegar and lemon juice) and my gob has been well and truly smacked.....it was amazing! (Bear in mind this thing hasn't been cleaned for about eight years and has been stored in an outside shed and you get the drift!!)
Many thanks!