Keep your brass railings shining
Anything that shines like gold almost always attracts people. Admit it or not, that golden glow is so irresistible.
The same reaction is shown by the people on the bronze railings. Having that same golden color makes brass an attraction. Whether installed on stairs in the home or in commercial buildings such as hotels along with stair railings or in bathrooms as handrails, brass evokes an elegant, high-end feel to any interior space.
But you should know that brass railings need regular maintenance to keep their shine. Since they are prone to corrosion and staining, it is very important to polish them regularly. However, there are techniques to follow to ensure that brass retains its shine for a long time.
Brass railings installed on bars as foot rails are exposed to people’s shoes and are therefore prone to scratches, especially if they don’t have that protective coating. Those used as handrails either at home or in commercial buildings are also not exempt from scratches especially from people’s rings coming into contact with the brass material.
For your home bar or stairs that use brass railings, you better learn the ways to properly clean and polish the material. The secret really is buffering.
Cleaning
The first step to a shiny brass railing is to clean it. Use a clean soft cloth and wipe it on the tube to remove any dust and dirt.
The solution
The next thing is to apply a solution to your pipe. Depending on your choice, you can buy the readily available metal polish or brass cleaner. You can buy them at hardware stores and pharmacies. Or you can create your own solution using ingredients available at home.
Prepare 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of table salt, and 1/2 cup of powdered laundry detergent. Mix these three together and then add three-fourths of a cup of white vinegar, one-third of a cup of lemon juice, and one-half cup of very warm water. Continue stirring until all ingredients are well mixed.
applying the solution
Now take a small amount of your mixture with a clean soft cloth and then apply to the brass railing. Be gentle when rubbing and be sure to use a circular motion. Don’t use too much pressure.
Then, rinse with cold water and let it dry. Once dry, polish the brass railing with a soft cotton cloth to the desired shine.
Coating
For coating purposes, olive oil is ideal if you have been using home remedies when polishing your brass rails. But if you’re using commercially available polishes, you may not need to apply an extra coat, as the solution itself already contains protective oils that coat the brass while you clean it.
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. If it’s not lacquered, it becomes more prone to rust and tarnish.
But did you know that it contains antibacterial properties that help kill germs where brass material is installed? In fact, brass has been used to make surgical instruments and other medical equipment.
