Question about cleaning old brass lamps

I picked up a brass desk lamp from 1963 at a garage sale last weekend for $8, and I keep seeing people online say to use vinegar and salt to clean the tarnish off. But doesn't that actually strip the original patina and damage the value? Has anyone found a gentler method that keeps the character?

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paulb981mo ago

My buddy Dave tried the vinegar and salt trick on a vintage brass lamp he found at an estate sale and it turned the thing BRIGHT orange like a new penny. He was so mad because the old dark spots were completely gone and so was any chance of it looking like it was from the 50s. Just use a soft cloth with a little mineral oil to gently clean the dirt off without stripping the aged finish.

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dylanward1mo ago

Bright orange? That is just wild. I cannot believe anyone would recommend something that aggressive on an old piece like that. You would think common sense would tell you that soaking a 60 year old lamp in acid would ruin the finish, but I guess not everyone thinks it through. Mineral oil sounds like a much smarter way to go, just a light touch to get the grime off without losing what makes it special.

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