For the most part, brass fittings are much more expensive than stainless steel or any other type of metal fittings and for good reason. The quality and durability of brass fittings are why most plumbers and other professionals prefer them over any other type of fittings. Many people make the mistake of tossing out their old brass fittings, but this is like throwing money down the drain. There are many techniques that you can use in order to clean up and re use certain brass fittings such as unions or Brass Hose Nipples. The following are a few tips on how to re-use your old brass fittings.
The Soaking Method
One of the most effective ways to clean up old brass fittings is by using a cup of vinegar, a little bit of salt and water to cover the tarnished or dirty area on the fitting itself. You need to let the fitting soak for a few hours in order to let the concoction do its job and break up the dirt and grime. If there is still some dirt or rust on the fitting when you take it out, then you need to scrub the area with an abrasive pad such as steel wool.
Good old Elbow Grease
Another traditional method of restoring brass fittings to good working order is scrubbing them with a wire brush. You need to stabilize the fittings so you can scrub off the dirt and any thread tape that may still linger. You can also buy a plumber’s four in one tool from your local hardware store. This tool has everything that you need to get your brass fitting clean and ready to use again. Be extra careful when scrubbing the threads because you can damage them if you are too rough.
Barbed Fittings
One of the most used brass fittings is a barbed fitting, which can be used for a variety of different jobs. The only way to get them clean for re use is to clamp them in a vice and remove any hose ends that are on them. In most cases, you will notice a black residue that can be very hard to get off of your barbed fitting. Try soaking the fitting in acetone in order to remove the film, you may also have to scrub the fitting with steel wool in order to get the entire amount of gunk off. To know more Click Here.
