Metal Clean Britte is a brass metal cleaner. It is also listed for copper, nickel, chrome, stainless steel and aluminium. Whether it is safe on your part depends on the finish and the contact time, so this page matches the method to the metal.
TL;DR
- Metal Clean Britte is a brass metal cleaner. It is also listed for copper, nickel, chrome, stainless steel and aluminium.
- It contains inhibited phosphoric acid. Being water-based does not make it neutral or safe on every finish.
- Typical for this type of product on brass and copper: 20-50% solution and 15-40 minutes, then a fresh water rinse. Refer to our TDS.
- Aluminium: typically 10-30% and a rinse within 5 minutes for this product class. Not confirmed for every Metal Clean Britte code, so check the TDS.
- Lacquered, plated or patinated brass needs a trial on a hidden area first.
Metal Clean Britte works as a brass metal cleaner. The manufacturer recommends it for removing stains from brass and copper, and also lists nickel, chrome, stainless steel and aluminium. Whether it is safe on your part depends on the finish and how long it stays on the metal, because it is an acid cleaner made with inhibited phosphoric acid and surfactants.
The finish matters most on lacquered, plated or patinated brass. On aluminium, the typical contact time is much shorter than on brass. Use the table and checklist on this page to match the method to the metal before you order Metal Clean Britte (RXSOL-16-1011-025) from our Barka warehouse for delivery in Muscat.
Which metals does Metal Clean Britte suit?
It is published for brass, copper, nickel, chrome, stainless steel and aluminium. That list does not cover every alloy, plating or coating. The figures below are typical for this type of product. Refer to our TDS for the exact figure for the part number you order.
| Metal and finish | Published use | Typical dilution and contact time | Watch point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare brass | Listed, brass and copper stain method | 20-50% solution, 15-40 minutes, then water rinse | Long contact with acid brighteners can corrode brass |
| Copper | Listed, brass and copper stain method | 20-50% solution, 15-40 minutes, then water rinse | Rinse the whole treated area |
| Aluminium | Listed | 10-30% solution, rinse within 5 minutes at most. Typical for this product class (shown on Metal Brite and one class sheet); not confirmed for every Metal Clean Britte code, so check the TDS. | Shortest contact of any metal on this list |
| Stainless steel | Listed | No figure is published for our codes. One class example uses 5-10% in recirculation to remove tank discoloration | Confirm the method with our TDS |
| Nickel and chrome | Listed | No figure is published for each metal | Plated layers are thin, so trial on a hidden area first |
| Lacquered brass | Not listed | Trial first | Cleaning can remove the decorative coating |
| Brass with a patina you want to keep | Not listed | Do not use | Acid cleaners remove metal oxides |
Is a water-based metal cleaner safe on every metal?
No. An aqueous based metal cleaner can be acidic, alkaline or neutral, so "water-based" tells you nothing about how it treats metal. Acidic aqueous cleaners are the type used to remove rust, scale and metal oxides, and Metal Clean Britte belongs to that group.
Leaving an acid metal brightener on brass, aluminium or steel for too long can corrode the metal. Acid metal brighteners of this type carry burn and eye/skin irritation hazards (see the SDS), so treat the diluted solution as a chemical and not as a soap.
Bare brass, plating and lacquer: why the finish matters
Before choosing the method, check what the surface is made of. Work through these cases in order:
- Bare solid brass, dull or tarnished: use the brass and copper method in the table.
- Brass-plated or chrome-plated parts: the plating is a thin layer that can wear through with repeated cleaning. Start at the low end of the dilution range with a short trial.
- Lacquered brass: tarnish usually shows where the lacquer has failed. Cleaning can remove decorative varnish, so decide first whether you will strip and re-coat the whole part.
- Mixed-metal assemblies: on a brass fitting with aluminium parts, the aluminium sets the limit. The typical class figure is 5 minutes (not confirmed for every Metal Clean Britte code, so check the TDS). Either keep to the shorter time or take the part apart.
- A patina you want to keep: do not use an acid cleaner.
Brass cleaner versus metal polish
A cleaner and a polish do different jobs. Cleaning removes grease and old polish residue. Abrasive polishing removes tarnish along with a little of the metal underneath.
An acid cleaner such as Metal Clean Britte dissolves the oxide layer without removing metal by abrasion. If you polish afterwards, do not use a stainless steel polish on brass. Some contain particles hard enough to scratch softer copper alloys.
How to use a brass metal cleaner safely
Degrease the part first, then dilute, trial, apply, rinse and dry. The steps:
- Remove oil and grease so the cleaner can reach the stained surface.
- Fill a plastic container with water, then add Metal Clean Britte to the water. Never add water to the concentrate. The typical dilution for this type of product on brass and copper is 20-50%. Refer to our TDS for the exact figure.
- Wear chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection. Acid metal brighteners of this type carry burn and eye/skin irritation hazards (see the SDS).
- Test a hidden area. Record the dilution, surface temperature, contact time and what the metal looked like before and after.
- Apply the solution. Leave it 15-40 minutes on brass and copper, as is typical for this type of product. On aluminium the typical class limit is 5 minutes; check the TDS for your code.
- Rinse the entire treated area thoroughly with fresh water.
- Dry the part straight away and check for etching, dull patches or exposed base metal.
Oman job checklist for brass and deck fittings
In Oman, heat and the supply of rinse water affect the result as much as the dilution does. Check the following before you start:
- Work in shade or on parts that have cooled. Brass fittings on a deck in Muscat or at Sohar port get hot in direct sun, and the solution dries quickly on them.
- Measure the surface temperature and write it on the trial record.
- If you are unsure whether a fitting is solid brass or plated, treat it as plated.
- Have enough fresh water ready to rinse the whole area. Do not plan on a seawater rinse.
- Keep cloths ready so you can dry the part straight after rinsing. Humid coastal air brings tarnish back on wet metal.
- Use plastic buckets and sprayers, and keep the TDS and SDS on site.
Metal Clean Britte and Metal Brite: check the part number
We list four related codes. Do not assume they share one formulation or one set of instructions. Ask for the TDS of the exact code you order.
| Part number | Product | Application | MSDS |
|---|---|---|---|
| RXSOL-16-1011-025 | Metal Clean Britte | Brass and copper stain removal | On request |
| RXSOL-16-1011-010 | Metal Clean Britte | Confirm with TDS | On request |
| RXSOL-25-1011-005 | Metal Clean Britte | Confirm with TDS | On request |
| RXSOL-25-1011-010 | Metal Brite | Aluminium; rust stains on iron and painted surfaces | On request |
The Metal Brite page gives its own methods: a typical 10-30% solution on aluminium with a rinse within 5 minutes, and a 10-30% solution for 15-20 minutes on rust stains on iron or painted surfaces. Those methods belong to Metal Brite and should not be transferred to the brass method above. See Metal Brite for aluminium and rust stain work.
The other two Metal Clean Britte codes are on the RXSOL-25-1011-005 page and the RXSOL-16-1011-010 page. Ask us for the TDS before using either on brass.
Where to buy brass metal cleaner in Muscat and Oman
Muscat Chemical (Muscat & Barka for Business Trading) supplies Metal Clean Britte from Barka Industrial Area, Sultanate of Oman. We deliver from the Barka warehouse to sites, vessels and workshops in Muscat. Call +968 77333599 or message us on WhatsApp.
For a vessel or plant in the north, the same product is also stocked for Sohar port deliveries. To get a quick quote, tell us the exact part number, the alloy and finish, what is on the surface, the quantity, the delivery location and which documents you need (TDS, SDS).
Request a quote on WhatsApp at +968 77333599 or through our contact page.
Need Metal Clean Britte? Ask us for a quote, the TDS or the MSDS. Delivery across Oman from our Barka warehouse.
Frequently asked questions
Can Metal Clean Britte be used on brass?
Yes. The manufacturer recommends it for removing stains from brass and copper. Typical for this type of product is a 20-50% solution with 15-40 minutes contact, followed by a fresh water rinse. Refer to our TDS for the exact figure.
Can the same cleaner be used on brass, copper and aluminium?
Aluminium is on the published list, but the times differ. Brass and copper typically take 15-40 minutes. For aluminium, a 10-30% solution and a rinse within 5 minutes is typical for this product class (shown on Metal Brite and one class sheet); it is not confirmed for every Metal Clean Britte code, so check the TDS. On mixed-metal parts, keep to the shorter aluminium time.
Is Metal Clean Britte suitable for stainless steel?
Stainless steel is on the published list of metals, but no dilution for it is published for our codes. Ask us for the TDS of your part number and trial a hidden area first.
Can a brass cleaner damage lacquered or plated surfaces?
It can. Cleaning can remove decorative varnish, and thin plated layers can wear through with repeated cleaning. Test a hidden area at the low end of the dilution range before treating the whole part.
Are Metal Clean Britte and Metal Brite the same formulation?
Do not assume so. We list Metal Brite as RXSOL-25-1011-010 and Metal Clean Britte under three other codes. Ask for the TDS of the exact part number you order.