If you leave it to tarnish naturally, it could be as much as two years. But there are plenty of ways that you can speed up the ageing process of bronze and brass.
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- What's the difference between brass and bronze? What are brass and bronze? Brass and bronze are both metal alloys, which means they are a combination of two or more different metals. Brass is composed of copper and zinc, whereas bronze is made up of copper and tin, sometimes with other elements such as phosphorus or aluminium added in.
- What causes bronze to tarnish? Why Does Bronze Tarnish? The tarnish, or patina, is caused by a chemical reaction between the various metals in the alloy, and acids or other corrosive materials. Acids in the skin can cause uneven tarnish from over-handling, and over time even dust will have leave an unattractive patina.
- How do you clean a bronze statue without removing patina? Rub a dry cotton cloth gently over the entire bronze object to remove dust. Scrub the entire bronze object gently with a soft brush to remove grime. Apply wax to the bronze. Sweep the paintbrush gently over the bronze surface. Buff the bronze gently with a dry cotton cloth to remove wax residue.
- Is brass plated the same as brass? While solid brass is much more expensive, it is extremely durable and can be polished to look like new for hundreds of years. Plated brass is has a thin brass coating over some other cheaper metal. Once the coating is scratched or starts to wear off the exposed underlying metal will start to rust.
- What does brass tarnish look like? Oxidized brass is typically blackish, green or blue, and hardens like a thick crust over the surface of the brass. This coating typically flakes off and can be removed to reveal the shiny brass surface. Oxidation has no effect on the integrity of the brass the way corrosion does.
- How can you tell the difference between bronze and brass? Perhaps the best way to distinguish between brass and bronze is through their color. Brass usually has a muted yellow shade, much like dull gold, which makes it a good material for furniture and fixtures. Bronze, on the other hand, looks almost always a reddish brown.