The warm gleam of brass is timeless. Think of vintage door knockers, nautical décor, gleaming cookware, and heirloom fixtures. Brass brings a touch of class, craftsmanship, and history to your space. But time can steal the golden glow, causing it to fade to a dull brown, or worse—the dreaded greenish patina that makes it appear neglected.

Reach for Flitz to polish brass, copper, and bronze back to their original glory. Our organic, non-abrasive polishing system revives brass, copper, and bronze safely, restoring their original luster and protecting them from future tarnish. Whether it’s a century-old candlestick or a modern faucet, Flitz helps you clean, polish, and protect.

How to Polish Brass to a Beautiful Finish

Polishing brass isn't difficult, but it can be a little tricky (see our cookware story below). It's essential to follow the complete process carefully so you get those show-stopping results that look like they belong on the Home & Garden channel.

Step 1: Know Your Metal: Is it “Real”?

Before you grab your brass cleaner and go to town, take a pause. It’s important to know exactly what type of metal you’re working with. These days, many household fixtures aren’t solid brass—they’re brass-plated steel or brass-coated aluminum.

Which one do you have? Grab a magnet off your fridge. If the magnet sticks, it’s brass-plated steel. If the magnet won’t hold, you’ve probably got solid brass.

Why is this so important? Solid brass can tolerate a deeper polishing. Plated items only have a thin layer of brass that covers the surface. Using harsh abrasives or acidic cleaners can strip that coating right off, leaving a dull, grey, metal base behind.

Flitz is gentle and still safe for brass-plated items, but it’s important to stick to a few rules before you get disappointing results.

• Don’t over-polish. Excessive rubbing with drills or buffing attachments can wear through very thin electroplating over time.
• Don’t use harsh pads or brushes. Stick to microfiber or soft cloths.
• Test it first. If you’re not sure, test in an inconspicuous area first.

If the piece already has some thin plating or worn spots, they may become more visible after polishing. It’s not because Flitz is “stripping” the piece, but because polishing removes oxidation that can mask the wear.

Step 2: Understand What Causes Tarnish

Most metals, including brass, copper, and bronze, react over time with oxygen (and other elements) to form thin oxide layers on their surface. These oxides darken to brown or black and eventually turn into the greenish-blue patina we recognize from old statues and weathered fixtures.

Some people love the Statue of Liberty's look (Lady Liberty is made of copper that has oxidized for more than a century). If you prefer the classic golden shine of brass, copper, and bronze, you'll need to safely and gently keep the oxidation layer at bay.

Flitz stands apart from other brass, copper, and bronze cleaners. Many use strong acids to “eat through” the tarnish. While this is effective, the acid can etch delicate finishes and corrode surrounding materials.

Flitz takes a smarter approach with our Instant Brass & Copper Tarnish Remover. We use an organic salt formula, not acid. It’s just as powerful on oxidation, but gentler on your metal and safer all around.

Step 3: Clean the Brass, Copper, or Bronze and Remove Tarnish

Once you’ve established what you’re working with, it’s time to get to the fun part—unearthing that beautiful glow!

Start your brass polishing in a well-ventilated area. Our gentle tarnish remover is safe for household use, but fresh air always makes the job more comfortable.

1. Spray the piece or tarnished area generously with Flitz Instant Brass & Copper Tarnish Remover. Like magic, you’ll see that oxidation dissolve and melt away almost instantly.
2. For heavier tarnish buildup, gently agitate the area with a nylon brush or #0000 steel wool.
3. Rinse the piece thoroughly to neutralize the organic salts. This step is crucial because rinsing, not just wiping, ensures that the formula is neutralized.
4. Dry the brass, copper, or bronze piece with a soft cloth.

In most cases, the tarnish will lift clean off, revealing a bright, new metal surface beneath. It’s tempting to declare victory here, but hold on. Even if you’re polishing a trophy, you haven’t finished the process yet.

At this stage, your brass or copper surface is freshly exposed to air, and it will begin to oxidize again right away. Polishing and protection are essential next steps to make that glow last.

Pro Tip: If your cleaner doesn’t seem to be working, your piece may be lacquered. Tarnish removers can’t penetrate lacquer coatings, so you’ll need to remove the lacquer first before cleaning or polishing.

Step 4: Polish and Protect Your Brass or Copper

Now the tarnish is gone, and you're back to the bare metal. This is when Flitz Polish Paste does its magic.

Apply a small bit of the Flitz Polish Paste with a microfiber cloth (or even a paper towel). As you rub it into the piece, you'll see a little black residue on your cloth—that's totally normal. It's the microscopic oxidation lifting from the surface. Keep polishing until the blackening slows and your metal begins to reflect light again.

For a mirror finish, polish a while longer. If you’re happy with a softer luster, you can stop once the glow looks even and warm. Buff it clean with a dry microfiber cloth to reveal a finish so shiny and beautiful that it almost looks wet.

Step 5: Lock in the Shine

Flitz Polish Paste leaves behind a thin protective layer that helps your piece resist future tarnish. If you want to lock in longer-lasting results, add a coat of Flitz Ceramic Sealant.

Flitz Ceramic Sealant forms an invisible but hydrophobic barrier that shields metal from oxygen and moisture for up to six months. The sealant is especially valuable for outdoor fixtures, kitchen hardware, and other brass and copper that’s frequently exposed to humidity.

Spray the sealant on, spread it around the surface evenly with a microfiber towel, and buff lightly. The results are stunning: a deep, lasting glow that will stay protected long after you're done polishing.

Step 6: Keep It Brassy (or Coppery) and Beautiful

Now you’ve got your brass and copper shining again, you’ll want to keep it that way. Fortunately, maintenance is easy with Flitz. When you notice dullness, wipe the surface with a bit of Flitz Polish Paste or reapply Ceramic Sealant. That’s it!

With proper care, your brass will stay heirloom-worthy radiant for years, not just a few weeks.

The Cautionary “Ruined Copper Cookware” Tale

Flitz is safe for all your copper cookware. We all know those chef-level copper pots and pans are a serious investment, so we’ve made sure that the process is safe to use on those precious pieces.

A while back, a customer wrote to tell us that Flitz had "ruined" her copper cookware. She used our Instant Brass & Copper Tarnish Remover and watched the tarnish dissolve away. Then she stopped without polishing afterward. Within hours, the raw copper finish of her cookware darkened again.

We had her send it to us (at our expense, of course). Immediately when we received the pan, we could see the issue. We reapplied the remover and followed it up with Flitz Polish Paste. The pans buffed right up to a lasting mirror finish that looked brand new (and held up to heavy culinary use).

The lesson? Tarnish removal is only HALF the process. Polish and protect is a crucial step, because raw metal will re-tarnish faster than ever. Remember: Clean. Polish. Protect. Trust the process (and trust Flitz to help if you run into an issue).

Now, a word to the wise: not every metal finish is meant for polishing. Some modern fixtures feature faux patinas, oil-rubbed finishes, or hand-aged copper tones that rely on deliberate oxidation to get the look. A cleaner or polish will remove that effect completely.

If you’re not sure about your copper, brass, or bronze piece, test it out in a small hidden area first or consult the manufacturer’s instructions to confirm. When in doubt, Flitz Ceramic Sealant or Faucet Wax+ are safe ways to get beautiful finishes without ruining the aesthetic.

Flitz for Your Precious Pieces

Flitz products are made for people who care about their craft, their tools, and their homes. Whether we’re protecting your car, your boat, or your heirloom pots and pans, we know that you’re trusting our products with your most important items.

Our product formulas are non-abrasive and safe for household use. That’s why they’re trusted by collectors, restorers, and professionals around the world…and it’s why they’re good enough for your valuables.

So polish that antique hardware, clean that copper sink, and restore that bronze sculpture with confidence! Flitz gives you museum-grade shine without the mess, fumes, or danger of acid-based products. With Flitz, you’ll bring back the glow and protect it for the future.

Explore our line of dependable products for fast and flawless results inside your home, in your garage, and on the marina.