About Metal Polish

Function

• Metal polish is formulated to remove tarnish and lubricate the surface of the metal piece so that it can be buffed back to its original shine. Some metal polish is abrasive and can remove small pits and heavy corrosion. Polish that contains rubbing compound can smooth away scratches and small impurities that have entered into the top layer of the metal. Although the chemicals and grit contained in the metal polish will perform much of the desired cleaning, they must be used with polishing cloths or wheels and worked into the surface with a rubbing motion.

Types

• Metal polish comes in liquid, paste and hard bar forms. Various chemicals such as ammonia, alcohol and denatured petroleum products are used in polishes for different metals. Polish for fine jewelry is called jeweler's rouge, and it comes in a red bar form. It contains ferric oxide and is very fine so that it will not scratch or damage fine gold, silver and platinum jewelry. Jeweler's rouge is typically more expensive and can be bought through websites such as Top of the Line and Awesome Gems.com. Most brass polishes leave a layer of oil to maintain the metal's shiny surface. That layer must be removed with alcohol or washed in hot soapy water to remove the film before being polished with Brasso or some other brass polish for best results. Aluminum, chrome and steel polishing products are the most abrasive and can be found in most retail auto parts stores and online sites such as Auto Geek and Always Brilliant

Features

• Ecologically friendly, or "green," polishing products are growing in popularity as people look for ways to keep toxins out of landfills and work with products that carry fewer adverse reactions to the skin and eyes. EMI Industries produces a metal polish made from food products that claims to remove stains and bring the shine back to any metal. Flitz makes metal polishing products made of beeswax and carnauba.

Considerations

• The cloth that is used when polishing metal can make a big difference in the quality of the finished product. A microfiber cloth has microscopic holes in it that absorb dirt and moisture instead of just pushing it around the metal surface like cotton cloths do. Microfiber cloths are durable and easy to clean. They typically contain no chemicals and are environmentally safe.

Warning

• Because most metal polishes are made from toxic chemicals, always use them in a well-ventilated area. Wear gloves or wash hands immediately after using the polish. Safety glasses can help prevent accidental eye contamination. Wash polishing rags in a separate load to avoid spreading the chemicals to other clothes, sheets or towels.