Manufacturers typically coat metallic in lacquer to keep them shiny, but over time, the lacquer can erode and lose its luster. Some brassy fixtures are solid brass, while some are only brass plated. A magnet test will let you know that one you have as the magnet only sticks to brass-plated items, not good brass. Once you decide which kind of fixtures you’ve got, you can choose the suitable cleaning technique.
Solid Brass
Eliminate the brass fixtures in the cabinets with a screwdriver.
Spread a paper over your work surface and put the fixtures on the newspaper. Ventilate the area.
Don a face mask. Dip a soft toothbrush to lacquer thinner and brush the fixture to remove the coating.
Scrub the fixture with 0000-grade steel wool to remove any remaining lacquer. Instead, scrub with baking soda on a toothbrush with half a lemon dipped in salt.
Dip another soft toothbrush to warm water, apply a drop of brass cleaner or mild liquid soap to the bristles and bathe the fixtures. Rinse with warm water.
Dry the fixture by wiping it with a chamois cloth.
Take the fixture outside and apply a light coat of spray lacquer, holding the can 6 inches away. Allow the first coat to dry before applying a second.
Reattach the fixtures to the cabinets following the lacquer dries completely.
Brass-Plated Fixtures
Eliminate the brass fixtures in the cabinets with a screwdriver.
Add a few drops of mild liquid soap to a huge bowl of warm tap water. Swish the water to mix in the soap. Soak the fixtures for 30 minutes to a hour.
Eliminate the fixtures in the water, apply a drop of mild liquid soap to the bristles of a toothbrush that is soft and gently wash the fixtures. Rinse with warm tap water.
Dry the fixtures and buff them to a glow with a chamois cloth.
Reattach the fixtures to the cabinets.