Home improvement 101
If you have two old hinges, and they’re just brass plate over steel, and you think, well, they still work as hinges, but then you think, shit, they will take two hours to clean up, and then they will still be worn brass-like hinges, you go to the hardware store and get brand spanking new brass-like hinges for $5.63. yes, my time is free, but these days, I’d rather spend the money and have more time not getting filthy.
Yeah, but will the new ones last 50 years and just need a polish to look new again?
Not that I will live to see it.
My house is over 100 years old and is full of brass and brass plate. Easiest tarnish remover works by chemical reduction and I never get dirty.
Fill a small cup lemon juice. Dissolve table salt in it.
Soak your rag or paper towel.
Wring it out.
Hang or lay it on the surface for a few minutes.
Some rubbing may be needed.
Then use your favorite polish (Noxon for me) to bring up the luster.
These have four layers of paint as well. Lemonjuice isnt going to remove that.