Will Brasso work on nickel?

Googe the msds for Brasso. Nickel not listed. Composition has 6 items listed. I vote No.

When dealing with bright nickle, be careful using anything that removes copper. Nickel is/was most commonly plated over a copper substrate layer and copper cleaners/removers might might get under the nickel and break down the copper base coat which would result in the nickel flaking or peeling.

Go up to the reservation and buy one of those polishing cloths sold at the trading posts. The Navajo use these on their silver jewelry.

Bob Wright

Nooooo!!

DO not use Brasso on nickel finish.

It has a high ammonia content, and if it gets through even a tiny surface scratch, will attack the copper plating below the nickel it is attached to.

The safest polish to use is Flitz metal polish.

Is is perfectly safe and will return the finish to orginial shine, or better, safely.

rc

Brasso, nope but:

Jewelers Rouge and Polishing Compounds

Flitz polishing compound. Flitz is available in just about any hardware or home improvement store.

Mother's rubbing compound.

Note what Steve CT mentions. Nickel plate is done over a thin Copper Strike and when you get through the nickel you will start seeing copper. Not good! Gentle and do not overdo it. Also what RC posted while I was typing this.

Ron

Be very careful. You might want to try an area under the grips first. There is no way you can polish any metal without removing some of it.

Saying that a polishing/cleaning material won't harm nickel, does NOT mean it will not remove nickel plating. If the material were solid nickel, it might not remove any significant amount, but nickel plating can be very thin, and even light polishing can cut through it and expose the base metal or substrate.

My own inclination would be to leave it alone.

Jim

The least abrasive metal polish I have found is Mothers Billet polish. Light touch, microfiber cloth.

I polish my badge every day. I used Flitz for years. My badge looks and feels like a river rock. All the sharp edges and detail are buffed out. But, it's very shiny.

I've used Fitz for years. Very good polish especially on chrome!

BobWright writes:

Go up to the reservation and buy one of those polishing cloths sold at the trading posts. The Navajo use these on their silver jewelry.

Click to expand...

As a former flute musician, I can say these worked very well on my instruments..

I have found Flitz works the best on bright nickel and chrome finishes. Removes dirt and tarnish and leaves behind a protective coating.

A friend of mine that collects and restores old revolvers swears by Mothers mag wheel polish. Judging by the before and after examples I've seen both on blue and nickle he's done, the stuff works great. I am still using the stick of jewelers rouge I got in '65.

I would be tempted to call the challenges to the finish of an old gun "patina" or "battle scars" that add character to the old gun.

However, I am grateful to learn proper polishes for nickel finishes and that Brasso is not a good choice; it could save me from a serious mistake in the future. (Not that I was going to polish that old S&W wallhanger.)

I was using Fitz today to polish a sterling silver money clip and noticed a very strong ammonia smell. Don't know how the ammonia content compares to Brass.