Thread: Cleaning Brass after Silver Soldering

Best method I found from my coppersmithing days was to either boil it in hot water with detergent and stiff scrubbing brush or a combination of running hot water, detergent and wire brush.

Hi Garry,
You mean to remove the flux?
I used to use Citric acid, though that was silver soldering copper to s/s so might not have been the same flux?

Stuart

I was looking at trying to bring a clean brass look back after silver soldering and thought that maybe a weak acid mix might be the answer.

Regards

Garry

If it still has a residue or crust left on it from the flux, then the only method is to remove it physically. It has been along time since I was in the game but I'm pretty sure it still needs to be done physically.

Hi Garry,
You should always neutralize any left over flux by soaking the part for a good hour or more in a bi-carb solution. If you don't you may have some flux weep out of the join somewhere and cause corrosion to you freshly cleaned surface.
I use a brass "chisel" to remove any excess solder and finish with scotch bright etc

Hi Gary ,I do quite a lot of silver soldering on my models,and I clean any flux residue with a battery acid and 10% water and dip while hot be careful,and do not use the same mix if you have used it for copper,it will mess up the brass Hope this helps.
forgot to mention to rinse well after using acid.

HI,
I find Caustic Soda to be quite good at cleaning up a Silver Soldered Job. I will just give it a Wire Brush at times.