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How to Clean Antique Burnished Steel

While checking out your antique watch collection, you notice that the steel casing has a slight texture to it. This is known as burnishing, and it is usually used to harden the metal and provide a shiny luster. Burnishing may also be used to harden surfaces where steel comes in contact with another metal, such as bearing races or pivot joints. Like other unfinished steels, antique burnished steel can be cleaned using household products.

Things You'll Need

Dusting cloth
Clean sponge
Microfiber cloth
Isopropyl alcohol
Polishing cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Brush away any surface dust or dirt from the burnished steel using a dusting cloth. Before cleaning with water or a solvent, the surface should be free of all granular debris.
- 2
  Saturate a clean sponge and wring out the excess. Wipe the burnished steel clean with the damp sponge.
- 3
  Moisten a microfiber cloth with isopropyl alcohol or a solvent of your choice. Clean away fingerprints, grease or soot using a gentle circular motion.
- 4
  Buff the steel using a polishing cloth and a rapid circular motion. Continue until the burnished steel reaches your desired shine.

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