Can anyone suggest a non-abrasive cleaner for laser-engraved brass that will remove tarnish but not damage the image.
Thanks
Can anyone suggest a non-abrasive cleaner for laser-engraved brass that will remove tarnish but not damage the image.
Thanks
If your into "green" methods, then ketchup works wonders on brass. Just sayin...
Epilog Fusion Fiber 30 watt
Epilog 36 EXT 75 watt
Epilog 36 EXT 60watt x 2
Epilog 32Ex 60watt (new tube, putting out 72 watts)
Epilog Summit 25watt x2
IL-60 2 x 100 watts 60" x 120"
Corel X6
Adobe CS6 Master Edition
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Dianne, "Brasso" should work great for what you want, you should be able to find it just about anywhere cleaning products are sold, I know walmart has or any hardware store should have it.
Universal PLS 6.120D 75 watt
MutiCam Apex CNC 4'x8' w 6 bit TC.
EnrRoute 6 Pro 3d software.
Vision 2550 Rotary Engraver.
Brasso is an abrasive polish.
People cleaning old brass clock mechanisms use an ammonia solution which leaves the parts bright without abrasion or damage.
Try googling "clock cleaning solutions".
Here is one that I found - "I use one with a mix of water, ammonia, Murphy's oil soap, Acetone." - unfortunately it does not give the quantities in the mix, but apart from the acetone it is cheap so you could afford to experiment.
A dilute solution of phosphoric acid will do , it's non abraisive. Phosphoric acid can be got from any food chemical supplier or chem supplier , dilute to about 20% to start with. (excellent jewellery cleaner too , works on silver and gold alloys - be careful of stuff with pearls etc - it will dissolve it - phosphoric acid is found in Coca Cola)
You can also use Chromic acid , diluted to 20% , however too strong a solution will give a matt effect , in fact we use it in a strong solution for cnc cut brass badge backs to give a wonderful gold coloured "passivated" effect on the badges. Any non abraisive cleaner will actually make the brass tarnish after a lot faster as it strips down to bare metal , polishes like brasso and silvo leave a protective layer on the brass , you can use a very light machine oil on a rag to apply a thin protective coating after a chemical clean.
Rodney Gold, Toker Bros trophies, Cape Town , South Africa :
Roland 2300 rotary . 3 x ISEL's ..1m x 500mm CnC .
Tekcel 1200x2400 router , 900 x 600 60w Shenui laser , 1200 x 800 80w Reci tube Shenhui Laser
6 x longtai lasers 400x600 60w , 1 x longtai 20w fiber
2x Gravo manual engravers , Roland 540 large format printer/cutter. CLTT setup
1600mm hot and cold laminator , 3x Dopag resin dispensers , sandblasting setup, acid etcher
Thanks everyone. I did try Brasso and it degraded the engraved image. I've also heard peanut butter works...who knew! I guess I'll just have to try different things. However, I would like to pass this information along to customers for the care of their brass items and I worry about the inconvenience of mixing chemicals etc. Thanks again.