How to clean brass and copper

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN ANTIQUED BRASS?

Our Antiqued Brass products are created from natural, un-lacquered solid brass that is treated with antiquing solution to speed up the natural tarnishing process and create a lovely aged look that will darken naturally over time.

In the trade this finish is often referred to as a ‘Living’ finish because of the natural oxidisation process that occurs to the brass over time leaving it to dull down to an authentic antique look. This darkening and dulling is accelerated outdoors or in damp environments.

All our pieces are hand finished so may vary in tone but once in situ any colour difference will quickly even up. Also, normal handling and wear will reveal the lighter brass below on raised areas, but this adds to the natural aged appearance of the product.

To clean the brass, we recommend buffing your product with a clean, lint free soft cloth to get rid of any build up of dust or dirt.

Some of our antiqued brass products, particularly those with a spun shade, are particularly susceptible to fingerprints if handled without the use of gloves, so we ALWAYS recommend using gloves when installing your brass lights.

HOW TO CLEAN ANTIQUED BRASS & HERITAGE COPPER

STEP 1.

If cleaning a light in situ, make sure the electrical supply is switched off.

STEP 2.

To remove a build up of dust and dirt, use a damp, microfibre, or lint-free cloth over the surface of the product.

STEP 3.

Dip a corner of your cloth in warm water and, using a small circular motion, rub it firmly over the entire surface of the product. Wet the cloth a little more as and when needed.

STEP 4.

Use a dry corner of your cloth, or a second clean cloth to buff the product dry.

DO NOT use abrasive cloths, soaps, washing up liquids, household or brass cleaners on the brass as this will strip off the antiquing solution and leave the finish looking patchy.

Alternatively, we offer a full refinishing service for brass that will restore your product to the same condition it was when it originally left our workshop. Kindly note that the finish will again dull over time. We will always require a picture of the item before we agree to any work. Details are given at the bottom of the page.

HOW DO YOU LOOK AFTER POLISHED BRASS?

Our Polished Brass products are made from natural, un-lacquered brass that has been highly polished to achieve a bright, reflective finish. However, all brass will age and develop a darker, dull patina over time in your home. This is accelerated in harsh outdoor or damp environments.

To return the brass to its original lustre, we recommend regular polishing with a pea-sized amount of good quality brass polish and a soft cloth.

First take the corner of a microfibre or soft cotton cloth and dip it into the brass polish.
Using a small, circular motion, spread the polish evenly over the entire surface of the brass, using more polish if you need to.
When it is completely covered, use a second clean cloth to remove the polish and again working in small circular motion, buff it until you achieve a bright shine.

How to maintain lacquered brass

We have developed this version of our most popular Antiqued Brass finish specifically for our bathroom accessory collection. We create the traditional antique look by treating solid brass with an antiquing solution, and we then lightly lacquering each piece with a clear matt lacquer. This seals the items – preventing unwanted marks to towels and garments. Our brass products are all non-corrosive and ideal for bathroom use.

As this is a lacquered finish it will require no on-going upkeep, however would advise that you simply wipe it over with a clean, lint free, soft cloth from time to time to remove any residual build-up of dust and dirt on the product. A free metal swatch is available on request.

What is the best way to care for Heritage Copper?

As our Heritage Copper products are made from natural, un-lacquered copper, they will continue to age and develop a darker dull patina over time in your home. To clean the copper, we recommend buffing it with a clean, lint free soft cloth to get rid of any build up of dust or dirt. Some of our copper products, particularly those with a spun shade, are particularly susceptible to fingerprints if handled without the use of gloves, so we ALWAYS recommend using gloves when installing your copper lights.

To clean copper, follow the steps given above.

Alternatively, we can now offer a full refinishing service for brass that will restore your product to the same condition it was when it originally left our workshop. Kindly note that the finish will again dull over time. We will always require a picture of the item before we agree to any work.

Natural environmental changes

Jim Lawrence has worked hard over the past 20 years to build up an international reputation for making classic, high quality lighting and ironmongery for your home. All our products are made using traditional metal working techniques and are hand finished to the very highest standards here at our Suffolk workshop.

While we do our utmost to make sure all our products reach you in perfect condition and we take pride in our ability to produce high quality items that will look good for a lifetime, they are all subject to natural environmental changes that will affect the way they look over time.

Fading or discolouration may that takes place due to oxidation, humidity, prolonged exposure to sunlight or salt air or other environmental conditions. Glass, iron, brass, and other natural materials will vary in tone, colour, character and texture asthis is inherent in such materials.

Rewiring

£35 for a light with a single bulb holder and a further £15 for every additional bulb holder. e.g. a Double Cottage wall light would be £50. All lights will be fully disassembled, unwired and inspected. We will then clean and rewire the light with new lamp holder and fresh seals and fully test it for safety and functionality before sending it back to you.

Refinishing

£30 per item – plus the cost of rewiring – as we will need to strip the wiring away from the light in order to refinish it. Please note that our refinishing costs do not include any repairs of dents and deep scratches. Minor scratches and marks will most likely be removed or obscured by the refinishing.

Call customer services

If you would like more advice, or wish to discuss your requirements further, please call our friendly Customer Services team on 01473 828989 or send us an email.