How to Clean Antique Brass Outdoor Light Fixtures

If you are the type of person who enjoys the presence of antique lighting then you will know of the amount of time that you have to give in to clean these lovely antique light fixtures and keep them in the right shape. Antique stuffs are indeed a delight to add around the house. It more or less beautifies the house well. Like they say, “Old is Gold”.

Over time your antique brass outdoor light fixtures will be accumulating grime, dust and debris. Therefore, the antique brass outdoor light fixtures need to be cleaned properly without eliminating the fixture’s patina which is the fixture’s layer corrosion or oxidation that normally comes with age. Brass is made of 67 percent copper and 33 percent zinc, which commonly comes with a golden yellow colored. The method of cleaning antique brass fixture is different depending on whether the fixture is lacquered brass or non-lacquered brass. As for lacquered brass, you can clean them just by using water because chemicals can make the lacquer look cloudy. For non-lacquered brass, you can clean it using household items as well as brass cleaning solution.

To clean antique brass outdoor light fixtures, you need:

  • Cloth or rag
  • Towel
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda
  • Hair dryer
  • Soft cloth
  • Warm water
  • Damp cloth
  • Dry cloth


Cleaning Antique Brass Outdoor Light Fixtures

How to Clean Antique Brass Outdoor Light Fixtures

  • When you want to clean lacquered antique brass outdoor light fixtures
    • First thing that you need to do is to dampen a rag or cloth into warm water

Always remember to turn off and unplug the brass light fixture from its power supply before you start to do any cleaning task on the light fixtures.

  • Take the dampen cloth and rub it over the brass fixture in order to remove all the dust and debris
    • Then, rinse and re-dampen the cloth again if the need arises.
    • Repeat the steps if you feel that the brass is still not clean.
  • Make sure to dry the cloth using a towel so that you can prevent it from getting water spot.
  • As for cleaning non-lacquered antique brass outdoor light fixtures you can use any of the following household products
    • First thing for you to do is to add one tablespoon of salt with 1/2 cup of vinegar.
    • Next, stir the salt with the vinegar until it dissolved.
    • After that, you need to add 1/2 cup of flour in order to create a mixture with a paste-like consistency.
    • If you feel that the mixture is too thick, you can add more vinegar and if it is too watery, you can add more flour and stir them.

Whenever you use antique brass outdoor light fixtures, it will enhance the glow of your light or flame and it is also easy to maintain.

  • Take a cloth or rag and dip them into the mixture
    • Then, rub the cloth or rag onto your brass light fixture.
    • Make sure that all surface of your brass has been coated with the paste.
    • Leave the paste to sit on your brass light fixture for at least 10 minutes.
  • Once finished, you have to wipe off all the excess paste and residue by using a soft and damp cloth.
    • Finally, you need to buff the surface of your brass light fixture using a towel or you can even use a dry rag.
  • If you want to use brass cleaner product to clean your non-lacquered antique brass outdoor light fixtures,
    • You should be applying only a small amount of the product to a cloth or rag
    • Then, you need to rub the cloth onto your light fixture so that you can clean off the dust and dirt.
    • Ensure that you follow all the instructions provided by the manufacturer on the label of the product.
    • Once finished, you have to wipe off any excess of brass cleaner that you see on the light fixture by using a soft cloth.
    • Finally, you need to buff the surface of your brass light fixture using a towel or you can even use a dry rag.

    Always remember that if you are cleaning antique brass outdoor light fixtures

    • Using household items always do it carefully and gently whether you are rubbing or using toothbrush around any surface of the light fixtures.
    • As for heavy stained or soiled areas on your brass light fixtures, you should spend extra time and attention on the area.

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