Oppo cleaning help requested: non-automotive
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While going through things in my grandfather’s tool stash I snagged a really cool folding ruler.
Now, I’d like to get it cleaned up.
It’s made from brass and wood.
Other than being filthy with what is most likely old oil, a little paint, a few other things that soaked into it over an unknown number of decades in an old box, and having a couple of whatever hardware attached the brass to the wood being MIA it’s in pretty good shape.
What would OPPO use to try and clean this up without risking more damage?
I figured maybe mask off the wood and polish the brass, but what about the wood? -
@kiltedpadre salt and vinegar can clean the brass, but you have to keep it soaked for a few minutes. IDK what that would do to the wood
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You can clean wood with a bleach solution, but you risk raising the grain.
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@kiltedpadre I'd start with a normal brass polish on the metal (try to mask the wood). See where that gets you. I suspect polished brass with weathered wood will look pretty cool, but if not you can worry about dealing with the wood later (you might have to disassemble, sand, and stain).
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@facw I’m figuring the brass polish is best there. I’d love to be able to at least clean the wood enough to read the markings, but I’d like to avoid taking apart if at all possible.
