Process of Corrosion

• Corrosion is the process by which metal deteriorates. It happens any time metal comes into contact with the elements mentioned above, plus salt, oils, solid and liquid chemicals and gases. Atoms in the metal react to their environment by becoming electrically charged and creating tiny fissures and pits in the surface of the metal.
  
  

Brass

• According to CorrosionDoctors.Org, brasses are the most widely used of the copper alloys because they are inexpensive, easy to fabricate and fairly resistant to corrosion. Brass is composed of a mixture of copper and zinc. The more zinc in the mixture, the more likely it is that brass will corrode.
  
  

Bronze

• Bronze is considered superior to brass because of its strength, corrosion resistance and mechanical capacity. Traditionally composed of copper and tin, bronze is now any combination of copper and anything else besides nickel or zinc.
  
  

Patina

• Copper-based metals like bronze can develop a greenish cast called a patina, which is considered attractive. Once it is in place it can help to preserve the metal underneath from further corrosion.
  
  

Cleaning

• Search home improvement stores for chandelier-cleaning solutions, including sprays and polishes.
  
  

Prevention

• Protecting your chandelier from exposure to harsh chemicals or weather conditions can help to prevent corrosion.