Brass black tarnishing

[LeeMaz]

So I’ve woken up today to set up my normal morning shave and found my beloved Stando with what looks like a massive black ink stain covering it. It’s been stored in the bathroom cabinet and been fine since I had it there. It’s beyond normal tarnishing. My Hone had something similar but milder happen last week. I only store soaps and balm and razors in there so am at a loss to why it’s turned so bad relatively quickly. It was on top of a standard soap tub and a gold paper foil wrapped soap from HC&C. Any advice to take it back to its former glory. It’s beyond a toothpaste polish! It’ll be stored in the bedroom from now on!

 

[Boycie83]

I'm no expert but could it be the gold foil wrap? Assuming it's real gold, from the internet:

If brass is placed in contact with a more noble metal such as silver or gold in such an environment, the brass will corrode galvanically.

 

[LeeMaz]

I'm no expert but could it be the gold foil wrap? Assuming it's real gold, from the internet:

If brass is placed in contact with a more noble metal such as silver or gold in such an environment, the brass will corrode galvanically.

That’s seems a likely reason unfortunately. You live and learn. Does anyone know if brasso is too strong/abrasive or baking soda a better solution?

 

[gile]

You can try with lemon juice and salt solution. Make mixture that all the salt is dissolved in juice and clean it with it. After that wash it with baking soda dissolved in water.

 

[SmallBeard]

Wow- looks fire damaged! Real shame, I can't offer any advice but hope you can get it back to its former glory.

 

[Driftwood]

Looking at the photo there appears to a shine and a solid finish on the base plate, that strikes me that a coating of some type has been applied and not the raw brass patina. I would contact Stando initially and then try lemon juice, Brasso...

 

[Blademonkey]

As has been said before use a lemon juice and salt solution and once back to clean brass rince off with a bicarbonate of soda solution to remove all of the lemon and salt solution, if this last step is not taken the brass will quickly start to tarnish.


Paul.

 

[LeeMaz]

Thanks guys I’ll give it a go this evening!

 

[Mike Smart]

That’s a real Shame Lee hopefully you get it back to its formal glory

 

[LeeMaz]

Couldn’t wait and have dipped it at lunch for 5 -10 mins. So far it’s improved it significantly, but will maybe need another attempt to take it back to its former glory. Time to move all the razors to my bedroom, and keep away from gold foil!

 

[LeeMaz]

Seems to have taken the worst of it off but will have another shot at it tonight and leave it in there for longer.

 

[gile]

You need to use cloth dipped in that solution to rub that off.

 

[Boycie83]

@TomG knows a thing or two about metals and may be able to help

 

[LeeMaz]

Thankfully there doesn't seem to be any physically obvious corrosive metal damage like raised rust spots in other metals, and it's just 'surface' damage. It's just a shame it's hit my two favourite razors, thankfully the Hone to a lesser extent.

 

[hotmetal]

Glad it seems to be coming off OK.

 

[Gairdner]

Get some Autosol out and polish the buggery f**k out of 'em. Shiny, shiny, shiny, said the Magpie. Polishing is such fun...