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How to Burnish Brass

James McElroy

Burnished brass has an antiqued look that some people prefer to a shiny finish. If you have a piece of brass that you would like to clean up while retaining or enhancing the patina, there is a simple method that will give your brass a burnished luster using some items you probably have around the house.

Burnished brass has an aged patina.

You can also use this technique to give an aged look to a newer piece of brass.

  1. Mix salt and white vinegar in a container you can seal to store the mixture.

  2. Rub the mixture over the brass item with a sponge or cloth.

  3. Dry the brass piece overnight.

  4. Rinse the brass in water the next day, and let it dry.

  5. Repeat the process until you have achieved the desired patina.