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This page describes trade processes that use dangerously toxic materials such as cyanide solutions, mercury amalgams, or strong acids. These processes require training, equipment, and precautions far beyond what the text describes.
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Solutions to Clean Brass
Finely powdered sal-ammoniac; water to By another method copper turnings are dis- moisten. Or: Roche alum, 1 part; water, 16 solved in nitric acid until the acid is saturated; parts. Mix. The articles to be cleaned must the objects are cleaned, immersed in the solu- be made warm, then rubbed with either of the tion, and subsequently heated moderately above mixtures and finished with fine Tripoli. over a charcoal fire. This process must be This process will give them the brilliancy of repeated in order to produce a black color, as gold. the first trial only gives a deep green, and 3394. Solution for Cleaning Brass the finishing touch is to polish with olive oil. Chains. Mix together 1 ounce sulphuric
3388. Το Give Brass an English acid, ounce nitric acid, drachm saltpetre, Look. Much pains are taken to give brass and 1 ounce rain water, and allow the soluobjects an English look. For this purpose tion to repose a few hours. Pass the article they are first heated to redness, and then dip- to be cleaned rapidly through the solution, ped in a weak solution of sulphuric acid. and immediately wash it thoroughly with rain Afterwards they are immersed in dilute nitric water. Dry in sawdust. This process will acid, thoroughly washed in water, and dried make old and discolored chains look as good in sawdust. To effect a uniformity in the as new. color they are plunged into a bath consisting 3395. To Clean Very Dirty Brass. of 2 parts nitric acid and 1 part rain water, Rub some bichromate of potassa fine, pour where they are suffered to remain for several over it about twice the bulk of sulphuric acid, minutes. Should the color not be free from and mix this with an equal quantity of water. Wash immediately in plenty of water, wipe nearly equal silver in whiteness and suscepti. it, and rub perfectly dry, and polish with pow- bility of receiving a high polish, while they dered rotten-stone. By this method the surpass it in hardness and durability. The dirtiest brass may be made immediately mixture of the metals is effected in the same bright. way as is given for making alloys. (Sec No.