Is there a way to paint a brass light fixture and make it look like oil rubbed bronze?
Q. I am trying to change out my light fixtures from a shiny brass finish to oil rubbed bronze. I have a ceiling fan that is brass. I don't think the fan is actually real brass--probably brass colored metal of some type. Does anyone know if it is possible to paint it to make it match the oil rubbed bronze ones? Can't afford to buy a new fan. Thanks for the help.
Asked by dbrcymry - Tue Jul 22 11:07:07 2008 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Absolutely. It will just take some time and effort. Light sanding to give the new paint something to adhere to. Lots of great spray paints on the market in the Bronze tones. Either tape over or use light aluminum foil to cover the areas you don't want paint to get into. Then let the spraying begin. don't try and cover it all in one coat. A few light coats will give you better coverage and a better finish.
Answered by andygroch - Tue Jul 22 11:21:42 2008

How hard is it to learn a brass instrument after playing woodwind?
Q. I play baritone saxophone in my high school marching band, and I was just wondering how brass instruments work, and how hard it would be to switch to sousaphone. I'm used to the heavy weight of holding an instrument while playing (the bari sax is heavy and really bulky), so the physical aspect wouldn't be difficult. But when it comes to playing, how hard would it be for a person who has never played a brass instrument to switch to a brass instrument?
Asked by Jamz - Mon Oct 19 18:38:07 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I would think so. Two of my friends (one is a clarinet player, the other plays the snare) want to learn brass instruments. The snare drummer is trying to. She's having an incredibly hard time learning it, but maybe that's because she's never had to blow air in her instrument. The baritone saxophone is completely different than a brass instrument like the sousaphone. They both read on bass clef, so that's one similarity. But switching from a reed to a mouth piece is not easy. I've tried playing my friend's clarinet (i'm a trumpet player) and it is definitely hard to do. I can only play mary had a little lamb and it sounds like poop. You would need a LOT of practice to play sousaphone (not to mention during concert season, you would play a… [cont.]
Answered by Avenged Sevenfold= music gods - Mon Oct 19 18:52:47 2009

How do I polish dirty brass door fixtures?
Q. Under layers of dirt/oxidation I discovered that the knocker, handle and letter slot on my front door were solid brass. I've used Twinkle and steel wool and they look amazingly better but the surface still has a copper hue to it. Any suggestions on how to get it to that shiny brass look - and keep it? Thanks.
Asked by jimmie_k - Tue Jun 16 12:58:36 2009 - - 5 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Other than power buffing Brasso as mentioned is fine but will reqiure some work. after a hot soap & water scrub. The "copper " color might be due to oxidation reacting w/ cleaning chemicals that have strong acid or base PH. Could also be that some pieces are brass plated base metal & the copper underplating is showing where the brass plating has been worn off. Easy enough to find out by scraping the back of the piece , If grey or silvery looking metal shows ...it aint brass. Once cleaned auto polishing compound is good for upkeep since the compound is wax based. Marine supply stores have metal cleaners & protectants that hold up better than brass polish alone. Best regards
Answered by split dog - Wed Jun 17 20:37:57 2009

How to wear brass knuckle heels without looking like a prostitute?
Q. I am going to a formal event and intend on wearing a pair of shoes that have brass knuckles as heels. How do I wear these without looking like an inexpensive prostitute?
Asked by unknown - Sun Apr 25 18:05:56 2010 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Wear all leather and you'll look like a dominatrix instead. ^_^
Answered by Mr Awesomecakes - Sun Apr 25 18:07:28 2010

How should I start playing a brass instrument?
Q. I currently play clarinet. And I'm pretty good, I'm first chair in the intermediate band as a freshman. However I am pulled by the irresistible power of brass. Cousin was drum major of blue devils, want to learn brass but he moved away. What is a good instrument to start with and are there any good web sites where I could get a vague idea of where to start? Thanks
Asked by Snoopy - Fri Nov 14 20:40:24 2008 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I also play clarinet. When I began playing brass instruments, I started with trumpet. I found the trumpet relatively easy to learn. Talk to your band director. You will need to learn to buzz properly with the correct embouchure and the correct fingerings. www.musictheory.net Go to the brass trainer. I found this website extremely helpful when I was learning trumpet...it also has fingerings/slide positions for other brass.
Answered by ktbird0111 - Mon Nov 17 22:21:08 2008

How do I age brass stampings naturally without using chemical?
Q. Some brass stampings are sold with a natural patina and the sellers claimed that they have a secret formula without using chemical. I tried using vinegar and heat but I just don't get that deep brown patina look.
Asked by xo xo - Wed Oct 17 05:42:05 2007 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Use the link below. It gives about 6 different ways to "age" brass. the different methods are about half way down the article.
Answered by Sarge1572 - Sun Oct 21 03:17:32 2007

What large brass instrument has only one piston valve?
Q. I found an old brass instrument in my mother-in-law's basement. It is smaller than a tuba, but larger than a baritone and only has one valve. I've never seen anything like it before, and I have been looking. I'd like to learn more about it so I can figure out how to play it. The valve seems to raise the note by about a fifth, but I was never a good brass player, so I'm not very sure if I'm buzzing properly for the instrument. Any tuba players out there have tips?
Asked by hcps_boxer - Mon Mar 1 11:12:13 2010 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Back in the 1970s, Drum and Bugle Corps used bugles of various sizes with one valve and one rotor (like french horns use). This sounds like a base or contra-base bugle from that time period or before. Today, modern bugles used by corps have three valves.
Answered by lunatic - Mon Mar 1 11:20:05 2010

What best to use to clean soot from a heavily soiled brass fireplace covering & the porous bricks around it?
Q. And also some soot that got on the white trim paint on the mantle area around the red bricks? Is there one best household solution that works on the brass and glass covering, the bricks, and the paint, without taking the paint off or harming it? I was using a Windex-type glass cleaner that took off a lot from the glass, and also seemed to work on the brass around it and the bricks, but has not got the painted area very well, and still the bricks and brass are not perfectly clean. Is there a better way?
Asked by Carmen S - Thu May 29 18:05:32 2008 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. foam type bathroom cleaner. really.
Answered by reynwater - Thu May 29 18:12:55 2008

How do I polish old brass instruments to look good again?
Q. Have old brass saxophone want to clean up a bit any tips.
Asked by Keyan - Tue Oct 9 00:40:07 2007 - - 8 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Brasso (and other abrasive polishes) will strip the lacquer off your horn. If the lacquer is all gone then brasso will work but it will tarnish again rather quickly. It's also really hard to get the paste out of the cracks and crannies and it tastes really bad. CLR or other liquids (Tarnex) will run onto your pads and into the posts and totally destroy them. If you must, be very careful. If there is lacquer still on the horn then use a lacquer polish from your music store. If the lacquer is gone - get a polishing cloth from your local music store and use that cloth to take care of some tarnish but don't bother attempting to get a "high shine" except maybe on the inside of the bell. Many players play on horns that are stripped and… [cont.]
Answered by CoachT - Fri Oct 12 02:53:46 2007

What is the cartoon with the characters voices are brass instruments?
Q. There was a cartoon that had a song playing in the background with a trumpet and other brass and it had the cartoons talking but by pretending the voice was a trumpet and some other brass instrument. I'm sure there is a youtube video on it but I have no idea how to find it. I really liked the song from it too. Any help would be appreciative!
Asked by mr_fettuccine - Thu May 27 00:39:32 2010 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I think it was the Charlie Brown cartoons. When the adults spoke they sounded like brass instruments.
Answered by Gabi ng Lagim - Thu May 27 01:40:47 2010

What is the best type of adhesive for getting brass fittings to stick to wood?
Q. The brass fits around the wood. Also is there any I should be doing to the brass or wood get a better contact?
Asked by Jason - Mon Apr 26 00:23:12 2010 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. E-6000 or the related GOOP clear silicone adhesives are stiff when set and accommodate the difference in expansion rates of the two materials and fill gaps. Available in small and large tubes in most hardware and craft stores.
Answered by mike1942f - Mon Apr 26 08:43:45 2010

How to keep my brass lamp from oxidizing?
Q. What can I use to keep brass from oxidizing. Something safe that I may wipe on after cleaning the brass. I do not want to use polyurethane or clear lacquer. Someone suggested applying a coat of good bee's wax ! Any other suggestions? Thank you!
Asked by Constantin - Thu Dec 17 00:50:26 2009 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I would try an automotive paste wax.
Answered by Tom S - Thu Dec 17 00:56:12 2009

What age should children start to learn brass/woodwind instruments?
Q. When has it become too young to start to learn how to play a brass or woodwind instrument?
Asked by Chanel - Fri Mar 13 06:56:33 2009 - - 7 Answers - 0 Comments

A. due to the wind power you need for brass - it would be easier for woodwind to start earlier... personally i would go for violin/piano/flute something like that :p trumpet and clarinet are so over done :p ( i am so ready to take thumbs down from trumpet and clarinet players - bring it on! ) really, i guess you are asking because they want to play or you want to get them started... what do they want to learn? piano is great for theory...its easier to see at the piano. after piano you can branch out to other instruments...as has already been stated.
Answered by Switch - Fri Mar 13 09:15:14 2009

How do you remove heavy grease on brass lamp?
Q. I have an brass oil lamp with a wick. Since it was not used, all oil left turned into grease which is difficult to remove. Any ideas?
Asked by goshty - Sat Sep 15 21:55:50 2007 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Try goo gone this is the name of the product, I use it on a lot of things paint, grease,road tar off my car ,,it works. try vinegar to get the tarnish of the brass,or try goof off product works pretty much the same as goo gone you can get it anywhere wal mart , k mart , dollar tree,so on.
Answered by little eagle - Sat Sep 15 22:15:58 2007

What's the green coating on the brass in the bathroom?
Q. Not a big fan of brass, so I don't know much about it. There's an almost antiqe-ish green outer coating on the sink fixtures. It doesn't look like a germfest, but it's far from beautiful. I can't scrub it off. I'm kind of a clean freak, and it's making me nuts. How do I get it off? I have to extend this question while I try the ketchup! I love home remedies. Well that didn't work. I'll try some of these other methods.
Asked by Bozz Mozz - Sat May 3 08:05:23 2008 - - 8 Answers - 0 Comments

A. use brass cleaner--its oxidation
Answered by Jackie D - Sat May 3 08:08:38 2008

What are ways to shine brass?
Q. Im in Rotc and we have to shine our brass like every week. I usually spin my brass with a power drill expect if I drill it one more time, the hole will get bigger leaving a huge hole in the middle of my brass. What are other ways to shine brass without using brass polishing products?
Asked by JoeyJordison12929043 - Sun Nov 19 18:53:14 2006 - - 5 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Believe it or not, ketchup.
Answered by drammy22 - Wed Nov 22 14:53:00 2006

I play Sax now; What would be the best brass instrument for me?
Q. I play Tenor Sax right now, but I want to possibly join a Drum Corps in the future. What would be the best transition to a brass instrument? I've played around with a baritone, and that seemed pretty fun. What do you recommend?
Asked by fartmonkey723 - Wed Jul 16 14:35:07 2008 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I'd recommend staying with the baritone. The parts are very similar to what you would play on a tenor sax. If you're more interested in a more melodic instrument try a mellophone or french horn. These two instruments are similar to alto sax parts.
Answered by Steph - Wed Jul 16 15:08:25 2008

How much is brass by the pound worth?
Q. I have millions of yellow brass coins and wondering how much it would be worth by the pound.
Asked by moeron09 - Wed Jul 2 15:30:34 2008 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Copper is a commodity, the price varies daily as well as regionally. You'll only get a useful answer by calling local metal recyclers. For clean coins that are solid brass (not plated zinc), expect $1.50 pound these days.
Answered by Adam S - Wed Jul 2 16:20:29 2008

How do you tell the difference between gold and brass coins?
Q. I have a Presidential medal. How can I know if it is a gold or brass? weight test, density, battery acid? Does gold tarnish after, 61 years?
Asked by Milos K - Sat Feb 9 16:51:20 2008 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Gold doesn't tarnish. Sorry. .
Answered by aladdinwa - Sat Feb 9 16:59:28 2008

Where can I get my bathroom faucets replated with brass?
Q. Faucets are 16 years old and badly discolored. Replacement parts are either not available or very expensive. I could have the existing items plated with brass again.
Asked by Phil D - Thu Feb 8 09:08:24 2007 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. sk33t3r may have the right answer but if that doesn't work look in the yellow pages under Metal Finsihers. changing them out will be much cheaper though. I would only replate if they have some real value such as an antique.
Answered by Farmer John - Thu Feb 8 11:32:29 2007