Difficulty: Moderately EasyInstructions
Things You'll Need: Brass Polishes, Clean Cotton Rags, Paint Strippers, Threads, Very Fine Steel Wool, White Vinegar, Mineral Spirits, Baking Soda, Aluminum Bowls, Copper Polishes, Salt
Step 1 - Paint copper plumbing if it's unsightly, but be sure to clean the pipes first with mineral spirits and a fine steel wool pad.
Step 2 - Wipe the pipe dry with a clean cotton cloth and apply a base coat, then a top coat.
Step 3 - Don't ever paint over brass. If you discover that it has been painted, remove the offending paint with a chemical paint stripper (read the label carefully for compatibility).
Step 4 - Polish copper with a commercial polish or make one at home (see Related eHows).
Step 5 - Get rid of corrosion on brass (brown stains) by mixing 1 tbsp. vinegar with 1 tbsp. table salt in a cup of hot water. Use a piece of very fine steel wool to rub the corroded areas with this solution.
Step 6 - Rinse the brass well and dry it thoroughly before using a commercial brass polish to shine and protect it.
Step 7 - Remove verdigris - that crusty green stuff. While it adds character, it also leaves unsightly pits in the metal.
Step 8 - Fill an aluminum bowl with 1/2 cup baking soda dissolved in 4 cups hot water.
Step 9 - Dip the corroded pieces in the bath and let them sit for a few minutes. Keep your hands out of the bath ' use a string or wooden skewers to manipulate the pieces.
Step 10 - Repeat until the corrosion is gone. You may have to replenish the bath if the verdigris is extensive.
Step 11 - Rinse the brass thoroughly with hot water and dry it with a clean cotton rag.
Step12 - Polish with a commercial or homemade polish.
MANWAL