Metal/Brass Polishing

Metal polishing involves the use of an abrasive to smoothen surfaces. The polished surfaces of metallic objects become shiny and reflective and are less likely to have any defects. A more gentle method, which results in a brighter appearance, can be used to complement metal polishing.

Apart from its aesthetic value, metal polishing can also serve a practical purpose. It protects metal from further corrosion and removes oxidation. This significantly prolongs its life expectancy.

Shin

Shine Plus Services Pvt. Ltd. is the Pakistan Market Leader in polishing stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper and bronze. We polish sheet, plate, coil, flat bar, sections, profiles, balustrades, laser cut panels, square and rectangular tube to a variety of finishes.

We are specialized in marble cutting, grinding, and polishing by using the latest technology. In our further services, we proudly offer granite/chip cutting, grinding and polishing, metal and brass polishing, sanitization and fumigation, home and office maintenance.

ISB +92-304-9096001

KHI +92-333-3310924

Metal Polishing Process

You can polish metal with many different types of abrasives. It depends on the type of material to be polished.

Polishing may be performed in multiple stages if the material has not been finished. In the first stage, an abrasive with a higher degree of roughness is used to remove any imperfections. The next stages use finer abrasives, which leave the material relatively unmarked.

For a mirror-like finish polishing and buffing compound are applied using high-speed polishers and polishing wheels. Although some polishing compounds can be applied directly, wax, oil, and other lubricants are also available. For a brighter shine, you can buff the surface using specialized automated equipment or stationary polishers.

Brass, which is softer than other metals, can be smoothened with a fine, copper-plated, grit. To buff these metals, an airflow mop can be used. Different polishing processes are used for certain tools, such as wrenches, chisels, or hammers. This applies to knives and cutlery.

Initial roughing of tools is necessary using a grinding machine. The materials are then polished using dry polishing material. Greasing may be applied to the materials if they require an extra fine polish. Cutlery and knives require blue or fine glazing.

Equipment for metal polishing

Different types of abrasives are possible depending on the metal’s resistance.

For low-tensile strengths metals like copper, brass and aluminum, gray silicon carbide is used. This abrasive can also be used on cemented carbide and gray iron.

Abrasives made of white or grey aluminum oxide are best for high-tensile steels, such as alloy and Carbon Steel. For ferrous metals, such as steel, green chromiumoxide abrasives will be required.

Polishing wheels is easy with leather or canvas. However, you can also use a wide range of materials such as felt, paper, leather, plastic, sheepskin, and rubber. To buff wheels or use mops, you can use wool cloth or cotton.

Applications for metal polishing

Polishing is an essential stage in many manufacturing processes. Some products are polished before they are released to the public, including cookware, kitchenware, automobile parts and handrails. Metals can also be polished in general repairs or restoration.
Workplace safety can also be improved through buffing or polishing. Buffing, for instance, can help prevent corrosion in specialty pipes. It is also effective in destroying bacteria and mold and prevents the formation of corrosion. This ensures product safety.
Polishing can bring out the shine on metallic surfaces and enhance the performance of many important products. Shine Plus Services prides itself on offering the highest quality polishing services in every metal used for modern manufacturing in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. We have the experience to polish all metals, including aluminum and titanium.

Brass Polishing

All things brass are in fashion, including lamps, vases and flatware. However, tarnish can be a problem. You need to be able to clean brass properly to keep it shining. This article will show you how to make brass items shine, whether you just bought a vintage lamp and/or replaced your cabinet knobs.

Polishing Brass procedure in Detail:

1. Find out if the brass has been lacquered

You can easily determine whether your brass is lacquered. It is possible that it hasn’t been lacquered, since the purpose of lacquer was to prevent tarnishing. But, if there is a thin, shiny layer that is coming off in spots, then the piece has already been lacquered. In this case, the only option is to call us for Brass Polishing.

2. Determine whether the object is Brass or Brass-Plated

You can use a magnet to check if something is made of brass. It’s brass if it doesn’t stick. If it sticks, it’s brass plated. And if it’s just brass-plated you can clean it with warm water and soap. For objects only brass-plated, polishing may not be necessary. It could even scratch the plating. It is crucial to know if the brass plating is a plating before beginning any brass cleaning project.

3. Polish the brass regularly

A polish specifically designed for brass can be used to remove discoloration. It should be applied according to given instructions. Apply polish using fine steel wool. However, any steel wool greater than grade 00 should be avoided to avoid scratching the surface.
Before polishing brass, be sure to wash it. You will need hot water and mild dish detergent. You can apply the soapy solution with a soft, damp cloth. After that, clean it thoroughly to remove any dirt, dust and debris.

4. A tried-and true brass cleaner is your best choice

There are many store-bought brass cleaners you can use available in market.

5. Or make your own natural DIY brass polish

Your brass polish doesn’t need to be purchased. Most likely, everything you need to make brass polish at home is already in your house. You will use all-natural ingredients, but, The process is similar, but it will take more elbow grease.

Polished Lemon Baking Soda and Baking Soda

Blend half of a lemon juice and one teaspoon of baking soda until you have a paste. Use a soft cloth/ sponge to make a layer of the paste. If the tarnish has become too thick, allow the piece to sit for 30 minutes with the paste on. Rinse well with warm water. Dry thoroughly. Repeat if necessary.

Lemon and salt polish Mixture

Split a lemon in half. Add a tea-spoon of Salt to the cut section. Use a lemon to rub on the tarnished area, pressing down gently to release the juice. Rinse well with warm water. Dry the area.

Flour, Salt and White Vinegar Mixture

Mix equal parts of the all 3 ingredients to make a paste. Place a thin coating of this paste on the tarnished brass. Leave it for about an hour washing with warm, watery water. Dry it off.

Ketchup, Tomato Sauce, or Tomato Paste Mixture

If you were wondering how to clean brass? it’s likely that you didn’t think ketchup would play a part. Tomatoes have an acid that can remove tarnish from it, and other metals. This is why you might be able to use a tomato-based product to clean your brass. You can use tomato paste mixture, tomato sauce, or ketchup. Put a layer of oil on your brass, and let it sit for minimum one hour. Next, wash it with warm soapy water. It should be dried.

6. Get help from an expert for certain items

We recommends seeking professional help for functional elements like locks, hinges, and hardware. Wiring, mechanical complexity, or lubricating requirements can turn these kinds of projects into more complex DIY chores.

7. Allow the Brass to Age Gracefully and Stop Polishing It At All

Sometimes the beauty and charm of antique brass objects is their tarnish. We suggests that you leave it alone. “Often it’s best not to polish antiques at all. He also points out that the value of antiques can be significantly reduced by polishing them. “I see too often what could be a beautiful patinated object significantly damaged by poor decisions to restore it to like-new condition.”

Brass Polishing Procedure (2)

Every copper or copper alloy objects e.g. bronze and brass, whether in storage or on display in a museum , require periodic cleaning and maintenance.

Cleaning improves an appearance for copper items and can help to prevent the risk of further degradation by eliminating sources of corrosion, such as dust, grease, polish residues, as well as fingerprints. Polishing, however is an abrasive process which removes tarnish as well as some surfaces of metal. Repetitive polishing causes reduction in details on the surface. It is important to note it is possible to reduce the amount of cleaning and polishing could be diminished by applying a wax coating.

If you are cleaning a copper item the first thing to think about is whether it is required to appear polished. Some items, like cookware, develop a durable patina after use. Some, such as statues and medals could be fake patinated after being created. Others, like instruments for science, are coloured lacquer coatings which make a significant part of their appearance.

Certain “bronze” statues from the late 19th or early 20th century could be made of a soft white metal, and then “bronzed” with a tinted translucent paint (consult CCI Notes 9/9 Care of Objects made of Zinc). Cleaning, polishing or even polishing using a solvent, can take away this varnish from the tops of the sculpture, altering the appearance of the object. The patina of Oriental bronzes is extremely sought-after and shouldn’t be polished.

The ideal appearance for an object is determined through curatorial research and consultation with. If doubt exists in this regard it is recommended to polish the surface without cleaning. Storage containers should only use cleaning for the sake of cleaning.

Work Space

A spacious work area is essential, including an appropriate table or bench with adequate lighting and adequate ventilation. A few sheets of paper placed on the table can protect the table from spills and offer some cushioning for the item. The paper needs to be replaced regularly to ensure that the surface is tidy. A tray that can be used to store cleaning supplies will aid in containing any spills that may happen. It is also recommended to have a space made available for writing notes.

Cleaning

When you are cleaning an object, note the accession number to ensure that polishing or cleaning takes them away. After that, you should wear clean cotton gloves to prevent transfer of the salts, moisture, corrosive and oils on your hands to freshly polished and cleaned surfaces.

Start cleaning by cleaning dirt and dust. Brushes made from bristles from hogs are suggested and there are a variety of brushes that are beneficial. Perform general cleaning using brushes with bristles set in a straight line toward the hand, like natural bristle brushes (soft and medium) or jewellers’ watches. Further work can be done using round bristles for oil painting (sizes 4 to 6 inches)) as well as stencil brush.

To get rid of greasy residues, apply a mix that is equal parts methyl the hydrate (methanol) as well as water using Q-tips or cotton swabs. If the grease is resistive, a stencil might help. The addition of a couple drops mild detergent mixed with the mixture will cut the fat (consult CCI’s Notes 13/9 anionic Detergent). Always conduct a pre-test test to check whether the cleaning solution can eliminate access numbers.

Polish leftovers from earlier treatments must also be eliminated. They typically appear as grey or white deposits that are difficult to access in the object. If they do not respond to the process mentioned above, you can use a toothpick made of wood that has been moistened by an equal amount of water and methyl hydrate.

If you discover paints, waxes, or lacquers check if they come from the manufacture or use on objects, i.e. whether they’re an element of the objects’ history. Preservation of such layers may be a challenge for a conservator and their removal typically requires the use of substances that are dangerous and inflammable. This type of situation need to be discussed with conservators to seek advice or help.

Polishing

It is an abrasive method. If polishing is required start with the gentlest and least damaging procedure.

The easiest method is to gently scratch the surface of the metal with chalk that has been precipitated and water on the surface of a soft fabric (consult the CCI notes 9/7, Silver Care and Removal of Tarnish).

The next step in abrasiveness comes from jeweller’s cloth, which includes an outer layer made of flannelette, and an inside layer of flannel that has been impregnated with jewellers rouge (hematite) which is a high-quality abrasive. Rub the inner layer of cloth on the metal’s surface and then clean any remaining rouge by polishing the outer layer of cloth.

If a jeweller’s cloth isn’t enough you can consider using a polish that is wadding used with an easy cloth. But be careful since excessive rubbing may cause obvious scratch marks on the metallic surface. Finish by hand-buffing using a soft, clean and lint-free cloth.

Beware of commercial polishes, such as Brasso. The ones designed for use in automotive or stainless steel cleaning usually contain very hard particles that may scratch the soft elements of copper. Certain products contain anti-tarnish agents that leave a thin film on the surface, which makes the process of cleaning more difficult. Many polishes for metals have ammonia in them, which can dissolve copper under certain circumstances.

Waxing

A wax coating provides some protection from the environmental elements and the handling. A suitable wax is created by mixing equal quantities of Shellsol or Varsol with the bleached micro-crystalline paste. Be sure to ensure that the wax is free of no synthetic elements such as polyethylene since these create a difficult process to get rid of. The mixture must be kept in a sealed container.

For application, you need to wipe or apply it to the clean metal , and put the object in a place where it to dry. In the event that the metal isn’t attached to ivory, wood, or any other materials that are sensitive to heat Apply the wax before heating the metal with the aid of a hair dryer, which will make the wax melt evenly across the surface and into recesses. Then, you can dry your object (while the object is warm) using tissues to get rid of the excess wax.

Once that the wax is set smooth the surface using clean, lint-free fabric. An ethereal layer remains on the surface of the metal. To cut down on the need to clean frequently, shield the objects that are waxed from dust. If you require more polishing or cleaning the wax can be removed with ease using odorless mineral spirits. This method should keep paints, lacquers and accession numbers in tact However, it is recommended to test the procedure first.

Lacquering

The polished copper alloy items may be coated with lacquer to shield them from damage by handling and surrounding environment. However, museum items are not recommended to be handled in this way. Whatever way lacquer is used it will always alter the appearance of the object.

Furthermore, using lacquer is an implicit acceptance of a failing within other aspects of safety, e.g. the object is handled in a way that is not appropriate or the precautions to avoid handling are not being taken into consideration or the object isn’t getting properly cleaned after the use.

There are occasions that lacquering is the right procedure even when the other precautions could be implemented, especially in the event that the object was coated with lacquer and is worn off or intentionally removed.

There are two issues in lacquering. It can be challenging to coat lacquer with a thin and even coat and it can be difficult to remove the lacquer in the event of need. The initial issue can be solved by taking the item to a firm that specializes in applying lacquers , and has the equipment and know-how required to perform the task correctly. They can also get rid of lacquers.

Safety Considerations

Solvents like methyl hydrate (methanol) and mineral spirits that are odorless should be used only under well-ventilated conditions. Avoid contact with skin. The ingestion of these solvents could cause fatal harm. (Odourless mineral spirits are specified because the process that makes the solvent odourless eliminates several of the more dangerous impurities.)

For disposal of tiny quantities of solvent left over in cleaning cloths. Allow them to be evaporated to dryness an area that is well ventilated like the air or the fume hood. When the solid residues are completely dry, can be removed into plastic baggies.