Guess what (else) hot sauce is good for!1

[UTUSN]

[lastlib]

1. Brass??

If it is, I need some!

[UTUSN]

2. Yes, but also copper & I think whatever else tarnishes!1 I wonder what it does to our insides!1

Also, whatever this specific brand is, it contains a ton of ingredients: "Water, salt, arbol, cascabel and puya peppers, fiber, acetic acid, xanthan gum, carboximetil-cellulose (CMC), potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate (preservatives), garlic powder, spices, artificial colors FD&C Red No. 40 and FD&C yellow No. 5."

I have no idea what the active (for polishing) agent is. There are hundreds (thousands) of other hot sauces, with varying ingredients and with varying NUMBERS (downward) of them.

Anyway, I fell into collecting brass and other metal bells out of what I thought was a passing nostalgia over the Navy ships' bells and it got way out of control. I soon got burned out at trying to polish them with the various liquids, powders, and creams.

This hot sauce stuff is FAST, totally easy on and off with a toothbrush, then wash off in water. It doesn't leave residue in the etched designs!

As I say, it's not specific to this particular brand. I'm going to try the ones that are simple in ingredients and numbers (vinegar & chiles/peppers only?).

Btw, I'm aware that true connoisseurs at collecting prefer to keep the patina instead of polishing, but I also cut spaghetti instead of whatever.

[Major Nikon]

3. I suspect vinegar is what is getting the job done

You can polish brass with just plain white vinegar, or you can just soak in a 50/50 solution with water.

[UTUSN]

4. Update: It doesn't seem to do well with (copper?) or perhaps my copper bell is

not all copper, since it *does* fantastically with a penny. And I tried apple cider vinegar, didn't have the suggested white vinegar on hand, and ACV had no perceptible effect beyond clearing out the old dried polish residue from the etched parts. The hot sauce doesn't do anything for the chrome (nickel?) or pewter stuff. Will continue to try other hot sauces with fewer ingredients.