At Amy Deluxe, we have experience working with a plethora of hookahs of different styles and models. With new hookah models hitting the market every few days, it is possible that you may end up having a few pieces of old stainless steel and brass hookahs lying around, neglected. However, they are perfect for restoration, which can be very interesting. Today, we will walk you through the procedure of restoring your old brass and stainless steel hookahs and share some useful tips for the same.

Brass Hookahs

Hookahs have existed for many centuries and are available in different styles, metals, and alloys like brass, copper, stainless steel, and more. Most of the Syrian-styled hookahs are made of brass. It is a dream for any avid hookah enthusiast to own one, even if it is defective. Just like any other metal, brass also tarnishes over time. The metal reacts with factors like oxygen in the air and oils present on hands and gets tarnished. It is totally normal and adds a natural patina that brings out the intricate design details. However, if the steam is made of brass, try to clean the tarnish from its inside.

Things You Need for Restoring Your Brass Hookah

You can use a soft-bristled toothbrush, a thicker fabric like a towel, a piece of soft cloth like a t-shirt, and some brasso. Apart from this non-abrasive cleanser, you can use tomato sauce. However, it is best to go for organic cleanser, as ketchup is also a processed product. As an organic alternative, you can mix some flour with white vinegar, and fine-grained salt. Since salt can also be abrasive, it is better to keep the amount of salt small enough to make the scrubbing easy and smooth.

How to Clean Brass Hookah?

Here is a quick step-by-step procedure to help you clean your brass and stainless steel hookahs.

Make sure it is made of brass. Simply bring a magnet close to the hookah. A magnet doesn’t stick to brass.If it is made of solid brass metal, dismantle all the parts, like the hose adapter and purge valve, before you start polishing, and clean everything with water and soap. You can scrub thoroughly with a toothbrush or a sponge to break down the dirt buildup, but that won't remove the tarnish.

Before venturing into your restoration project, decide on the cleaning solution you want to apply and do a small patch test on the hidden area of the hookah. Believe it or not, brasso works really well with old, tarnished brass pieces. Decide on the amount of solution you will require.

Simply apply a thin layer of it and wait for 30 to 45 minutes before wiping it away.
First, do an overall cleaning to remove the buildup, then concentrate on small areas at a time. The leftover solutions will continue to break down the tarnish and make it easy by the time you come again.

Keep a few paper towels handy, as it often gets pretty dirty with every layer you remove.

Give the hookah a final wipe with coarse fabric and clean up any traces of brasso you have on the hookah.

Finally, use a soft cloth to shine the hookah. You can cover the parts with a good layer of brasso and let them sit while you do the whole cleanup.

Salvaging the Internal Parts of Hookah

Initially, clean the inside of the hookah with water and soap. Then, make a solution by mixing some lemon juice with baking soda. Take some on a toothbrush and scrub the inside of the hookah thoroughly. You may need to repeat it multiple times.

It’s time to put everything together. You may need to change the hose port, adapters, and purge valve. Add in a hookah base and some ball bearings.

Lastly, apply a coat of lacquer or linseed oil to safeguard the metal and avoid such in-depth cleaning any time soon.

Stainless Steel Hookahs

Stainless steel hookahs, unlike the vintage hookahs crafted with materials like copper or brass, are constructed of a durable, anti-corrosion alloy. These hookahs commonly have a modern, sleek appearance and need minimal care because of the material's resistance to oxidation and tarnish. They usually come in plenty of sizes and shapes that suit smokers' diverse preferences.

How to Clean Stainless Steel Hookah?

For hookahs made of aluminum or stainless steel alloys, you can use a similar method to restore them. Compared to the brass pieces, stainless steel hookahs don’t tarnish, or in some cases, that fast. In fact, the tarnish is mild and can be easily wiped off. 

You can use any cleaning agent with a small amount of Elbow Grease Degreaser to clean and restore the shine of the hookah. This method is not applicable to hookahs that come with a protective finish. You can use Never Dull or Magic Eraser using a soft cloth for polishing your hookah, as it can work like magic on different kinds of metals. Soak the different hookah parts in hot soapy water for 40 minutes, then deep clean them using a toothbrush and sponge. Dry the parts, then give them an overall polish, and finish off with a dry wipe using a soft t-shirt.

When you're restoring an aged brass or stainless steel hookah or upgrading certain hookah parts, understanding the wide assortment of hookahs and accessories may be tricky. Luckily, lots of elements are replaceable, and Amy Deluxe is here to help you find the best components for your specific requirements. Browse through our assortment of elite hookahs and accessories to get you started.