Chemistry: Removing Cat Pee from Brass
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 12:02 am
New cat was apparently nervous and used an old horn as a urinal (sounds funny, but is not, in person). I did not see this for a while. I used some dish detergent to take off the caked-on residue, which was green. It left some pitted-looking areas, also green.
I am concerned that anything green will turn into a hole in the brass. I know we have some chemists in the house. Can I take advantage of the ph of cat urine (whatever that may be, I suspect acidic) to clean the stuff off of the brass with something opposite of that ph?
My goal is to protect the horn as gently as possible, so I am hoping that it is smart to avoid steel wool, brasso, and attachments that fit into drills (yikes). I know this thread is the all-time repository of straight lines for comics, but I am more interested in avoiding tuba damage than comedy at the moment!
I am concerned that anything green will turn into a hole in the brass. I know we have some chemists in the house. Can I take advantage of the ph of cat urine (whatever that may be, I suspect acidic) to clean the stuff off of the brass with something opposite of that ph?
My goal is to protect the horn as gently as possible, so I am hoping that it is smart to avoid steel wool, brasso, and attachments that fit into drills (yikes). I know this thread is the all-time repository of straight lines for comics, but I am more interested in avoiding tuba damage than comedy at the moment!