Another Project (Brass cleaning)

[tubatom91]

Long ago, I found an old fire extinguisher in an antique venue of some kind. It is in fairly good shape for what it is. I believe it to be made out of brass (Maybe copper, you be the judge). I want to clean it up a bit. Now I'm not expecting nor do I anticipate a pro job. I know brass cleaning has come up in the past but I don't think it was anything this severe. Pics below should explain it.

[eupher61]

a little muriatic acid, an old brush, and a hose!

[tubatom91]

where do you buy the acid? if you don't mind me asking

[Todd S. Malicoate]

where do you buy the acid? if you don't mind me asking

Farm and home stores usually have it, also pool supply places (but it's a bit more there, like everything else).

[tubatom91]

so farm&fleet or fleet&farm (depending on where you live in the country)

[Todd S. Malicoate]

Atwood's has it...in the pool section, ironically enough.

[tubatom91]

hmmm. there are no Atwoods around here in Illinois but the lowes and home depot are right across the street from one another . I will check tomorrow maybe and report back

[tofu]

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[tubatom91]

I finally managed to break the seal that the threads had today. The handle on top screws off to refill the extinguisher. The junk rattling around inside was the broken "acid bottle" used in refilling. The refill instructions say to fill the canister half full with water and dissolve "the chemical term for baking soda" in the water, then fill the acid bottle half full of Sulferic acid. To operate the extinguisher and extinguish a flame simply turn the thing over and spray away. There's even a handy little handle on the bottom. BTW it seems the extinguisher was not discharged prior to the 1930's and the water is all gone and nothing but green dust and broken glass are remaining in the bottom, should I be worried about a possible inhalation risk?