Preparations for Christmas continue......Polishing Brass!...I've added more pics!

It's Tuesday December 14th, 2010! Ten days until Christmas! I think I'll make it in time!!! LOL!

I fell last night after my hot bubbly tub (wet feet on the ceramic tiled kitchen floor!!) (I was on my way to dry by the fireside) I bashed my right knee, elbow and wrist into the floor. I am feeling banged up a bit, so I am not going to move furniture today!

I have a collection of antique and vintage brass that I have collected over the years. I have scored some fabulous pieces at yardsales and thrift stores. People get rid of it because they don't want to polish it. BUT!!!  I don't mind polishing it at all!! 

When I was a kid, a few weeks before Thanksgiving, Mom would clear the kitchen table and cover it with newspaper. Then she would bring out a bunch of soft rags and small saucers. She would pour small amounts of Silvo for the silver and Brasso for the brass and copper into the saucers. She and I and sometimes my brother, Bill, would then begin polishing her collection of brass and silver. It was a happy time, because we knew that our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner tables and table tops through out the house would be resplendant with bright shining accents!! We would break for tea and fresh cookies. Those times are sweet, warm memories to me!

So everytime I dig out my silver and brass polishing supplies, I am transported back to my childhood days.

I quickly took a few photos this morning to give you an idea of what I use and how I set up for this little task.

Like I said, I use "Silvo" for the silver and "Brasso" for the copper and brass.

It has been a few years since I have polished the brass so it is beginning to look kinda grunggy.

I have placed a large garbage bag on the top of the kitchen island then layered newspaper on top of that. I have shown the old metal can that Brasso used to come in and also the new plastic bottle that it now comes in in the picture below. I wear old crappy clothes, 'cuz I always get some gunk on my clothes. I also wear a work apron and rubber gloves (buy them at the dollar store, when the chemicals begin to kill the rubber, just throw them out and grab another pair). Music on the stereo is a must!!!  I am listening to Patsy Cline's Greatest Hits!

On the right you will see an English brass candle stick with a green candle in it. That is "before". On the left you will see the mate; it is covered with the polish. I used 0000 steel wool and a small wire brush to get into all the nooks and crannies.

*****WARNING!!!!*****

******DO NOT USE STEELWOOL OR A WIRE BRUSH ON YOUR SILVER!!!!!!******

When I have removed all the tarnish gunk, I then wash the item in hot soapy water. This removes the gunky polish.

Next I get a soft rag, old flannel peejayjays ( I love that word.....I think I made it up....I haven't seen nor heard anyone else use it!)  work best, but old tee-shirts and towels will work, too. I cut them into about ten inch square pieces. I use one rag to hold the item and another to do the polishing. Holding the item with a clean rag prevents regucking up the piece while you polish it.

Here is another candle stick in the "to-be-polished" lineup.

(As you can see in the background my kitchen is a total disaster area!!!  It will be tidied up AFTER I get the polishing done!!

Below on the left you will see the finished product.

It is sparkly and bright!!!

Gotta get back to polishing so I can take pics by Friday!!!


I have been busy, busy, busy polishing brass.
The candlesticks below with candles have been polished.
The ones without have not been polished.

 Del Shannon has been singing and I have been rockin'!!!

All polished and alight!

Gotta go and tidy the kitchen and make supper. Baked ham, baked yams
coleslaw and green beans!

Take care,



Love and hugs, Laura