electrolysis

This should probably be posted on the tool forum but I'm hoping for a quick answer. Can you use electrolysis to clean up brass? I have some horse collar hames that have a brass ball on the end and I was wondering what it would do to them.

Probibly ruin them. Your choices are brasso and elbow gease (my choice),jewler's rouge on powered felt pad.

Got something else you could practice on? I have used it on steel quite a bit, with great results. It would take someone smarter than me to tell you for sure.

I do remember someone saying it basically reverses the rusting process.

Since the tarnish is not "rust", I sure dont know.

I have cleaned brass and other items in my case cleaning solution, the stuff I use to clean empty rifle cases prior to reloading. I also have a vibratory case polishing set up that uses crushed walnut hulls along with jewelers rouge.

Birchwood Caseys makes the brass cleaning solution. You mix it with water and let them soak for 3 minutes. You can also brush it lightly with fine brass brushes, or steel wool. This method will clean up brass that has laid outside for a year and turned green. It works great. It is Phosphoric and sulfuric acid. Not sure the proportions of each.

16 oz of the case cleaner sells for $7.95 and it makes two gallons of cleaner, that is reusable many times. I just keep an ice cream container full of it in a drawer at all times.

It was kinda hard to get for awhile, so I bought a lifetime supply. Last I got was from Midway arms, but most big gun shops that cater to reloaders will have it.

Good luck.

Gene

I was cleaning some cast iron carburetor bowls via electrolysis. The brass plugs became dark. Electrolysis did not seem to harm the brass but it did not make it shiny either.

In the army, I used Brasso.

I cleaned the brass on my lamps with vinigar

My sister was working on the radio and touched the wrong part... electrolysis!!! too bad I dont actually have a sister.

I use vinegar and salt solution deluted with water. Works well on copper kettle . Might need a little coaxing with very fine steel wool. Do not let it set in it overnite it eat it up.