Polishing Brass

[Dreamer42]

Greetings,
I was reading one of the research articles yesterday here on the AC about improving one's impression when I came upon the mention of using wood ashes for polishing brass. I have read this before, but I guess I just didn't think much about it. But yesterday it struck me. My search came up empty. Is there some process or does one just hand-rub the ashes and the brass, like using brasso, just begins to take on a brighter shine? Or is there a paste that needs to be mixed up and applied?

- Jay Reid
9th Texas

[StaleCheese]

Re: Polishing Brass

All you need to do is put the ashes on your brass then spit on them and scrub away. It's amazing how the brass will shine after this.

-Dan Hart

[crabby]

Re: Polishing Brass

Jay,

I usually take a rag or my handkerchief and moisten, I then dip into the ashes and rub over the brass. It will create a paste. After the rubbing I use a dry portion of the rag to do a final polish.

Crabby

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Polishing Brass

Hallo!

Many repro buttons come sealed in high gloss lacquer to keep them bright and shiny. Removing the clear gloss with strippers or abrasion will allow the buttons to "age" naturally due to use and exposure.
Mixing fire ash with water to make a paste, IMHO makes it easier to use, and gives it a more finely abrasive "bite."
It may be an understatement but... using "period methods" will net one a "period look."

Curt

[Dreamer42]

Re: Polishing Brass

Thanks, all. I can just see my wife giving me her standard strange "look" again while performing this task.
Now, my next question is one of authenticity in nature: Should I accumulate a satisfactory amount of saliva after eating saltpork and finishing my coffee, or is it okay to use saliva after eating one of my home-made cheese burgers and downing a Coke? ;)

Jay Reid
9th Texas

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Polishing Brass

Hallo!

Use water.
It is authentic, because it is the exact same water used by Civil War soldiers.
(Although with Global Warming, it is the same water drunk by dinosaurs. ;) :) )

Curt

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Polishing Brass

A little coffee with the ash works, too, as a field expedient. Dip a bit of rag in the coffee, then in a spoonful of ash.

For a real barracks room polish you might want to consider rottenstone and vinegar. You will never want to use Brasso again.

[C.R. Henderson]

Re: Polishing Brass

If you want to make enough to last you awhile, get some of those disposable Glad containers (small ones) and get some ash the next time you have a fire in your fireplace or ask the neighbors for some. The white ash works best as it is finer than the black- which is charcoal. Mix with water until you have a fine paste about the consistency of white glue. If you're an ultra purist, use rainwater. Polish away!

Hope this helps.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Polishing Brass

Chris,

Thank you for pointing out the difference between wood ash and charcoal. Believe it or not, the fine points such as this are often lost in the translation. A heck of a lot of the common CW period company level cleaning/maintenance supplies are inexpensive (although the containers may not be) and could be issued to event participants more frequently than currently is the norm. In fact, when these items are issued from stocks, the troops usually need detailed instructions on their proper use.