Hello! I have a question regarding how to clean/polish the brass on my Optimus 510. I have been advised to use Autosol, but that left minor marks in the finish of my nickle-plated Petromax.. Is there any "safe" product out there that You have tried on brass, that is not too aggressive? The surface is perfect, no dents, just some miscoloured spots and patina of old age. Thank You very much!
After trying all sorts of methods, from lemons to Brasso, I have settled into a very simple routine of a short soak in citric acid followed by an Autosol/Extrafine steel wool rub-down. This has cleaned up everything, including those I thought hopeless, and has left a sparkling mirror-brite shine that has even impressed my mother-in-law, who's "get that bloody awful grubby thing out of the kitchen" refrains have become far more complimentary over the past few weeks.
The least aggressive brass polish is probably Duraglit, a cotton wadding impregnates with a cleaning compound. Next might come Brasso applied with a soft cloth. Solvol Autosol and Peek are similar, and very slightly more abrasive, but should bring up a good shine. Solvol also do a liquid polish specifically for chrome, but if you find their cream too abrasive, go to Brasso or Duraglit. The coarser polishes are fine for removing heavy discolouring, and Bar Keepers Friend is especially good for that - but on the abrasive side. It a white powder rich with oxylic acid and applied with a damp cloth. Fine for fast cleaning of Bar tops and Copper table tops, but for a fine polish use the others.
Hi TorMartin, I have used various brass polish on my stoves lamps etc over the years, including duraglit which is great brasso but now I have been using Autosol, due to the recommendations of other members and I am very impressed with it. But the marks could have already been on your Petromax tank prior to polishing, They may not have been noticed until the tank was polished, with a polished or shinny finish it does really high light and imperfections scratches etc which were not noticeable when the tank was not shiny and due to tarnish dirt etc.
Thank You all for great help! Ordered a box of Duraglit Brasso now, and gonna try it out, hopefully it will sort things out. Tried with citric acid, dishwash-detergent and hot water last night. Really made an excellent job on the roarer burners, looks factory new and shiny!
