The short answer is: yes, unlacquered brass tarnishes. But the word tarnish is doing a lot of work in that sentence, and it is worth unpacking exactly what it means — because the way brass “tarnishes” is very different from what happens to silver, for example, and the end result is very different too.

Tarnish vs Patina: What Is the Difference?

Tarnish is the discoloration that occurs when a metal reacts with sulfur compounds in the air. Silver and silver-plated metals are particularly susceptible — they develop a dark, dull, often uneven discoloration that most people consider unattractive. Tarnish is generally viewed as a problem to be cleaned away.

Patina is a broader term for the surface changes that occur on metals when they are exposed to their environment over time. Brass develops patina — a warm, complex oxidation layer — through exposure to air, humidity, and daily contact. This patina deepens in tone from bright gold through honey, amber, and bronze tones over months and years.

The key difference: tarnish on silver looks worse over time. Patina on brass looks better over time. This is not a matter of opinion — it is the near-universal experience of our customers across the US, UK, Canada, and Europe who have lived with our unlacquered brass kitchen faucets and brass sinks for a year or more.

What Exactly Happens to Unlacquered Brass Over Time?

Unlacquered brass — an alloy of copper and zinc — undergoes a gradual oxidation process when exposed to air, moisture, and contact with human skin. The zinc and copper components of the alloy react with oxygen and other compounds in the environment to form a surface layer of copper and zinc oxides and hydroxides. This layer is what we see as the patina.

• In dry conditions — the patina develops slowly and tends toward warm amber and gold tones
• In humid conditions (kitchens near stovetops, bathrooms) — the patina develops faster and can develop more complex, multi-tonal character
• With hard water contact — the mineral deposits can cause white calcium spots that sit on top of the patina and can be wiped away without affecting the oxidation layer beneath
• In outdoor or very high-humidity environments — eventually, after many years, brass can develop a greenish layer (verdigris) at the deepest contact points. This is considered highly desirable by many and is not harmful to the metal

How to Prevent Unlacquered Brass From Tarnishing

Here is the most important thing to understand: you cannot prevent unlacquered brass from developing a patina without applying a coating — which would make it lacquered brass. The material develops a patina by definition.

However, you can slow the process and control how the patina develops:

• Wipe dry after every use — removing water and moisture slows oxidation significantly
• Apply paste wax every 3–4 months — Renaissance Wax or a similar paste wax creates a thin, breathable barrier that slows patina development without sealing the metal
• Polish periodically — regular light polishing with Brasso or Bar Keepers Friend removes the developing oxidation layer and keeps the brass closer to its original brightness

How to Remove Tarnish from Unlacquered Brass

If the patina has developed in a way you find unpleasant, or unevenly due to specific conditions in your home, polishing the brass removes the oxidation layer and returns it to near-original brightness. See our full Brass & Copper Care Guide for detailed polishing methods. The process is straightforward, requires no specialist equipment, and results in a fully refreshed surface from which the patina begins developing again naturally.