How to clean this brass pocketwatch?

[It's A Trap!]

Pretty sure its brass or gold plated. I found this next to the train tracks today and I was wondering how I should go about cleaning it. I dunked it in a bucket of pine sole and water and started scrubbing with a bottle brush. This method has exposed some of the metal but im afraid of using chemicals that might remove the etching

[JOE319]

Id soak it 3 percent vinegar for a few hours then use a toothbrush on it....that should make some progress

[jerr-man]

Nice find Trap, WTG !

[It's A Trap!]

Originally Posted by JOE319 View post
Id soak it 3 percent vinegar for a few hours then use a toothbrush on it....that should make some progress

Sounds like a plan!

Originally Posted by jerr-man View post
Nice find Trap, WTG !

Thanks!

[It's A Trap!]

Soaked it overnight and scrubbed it a bit. The back has flowers and a bird etched on it. You can still see where the "12" is on the front of the watch

[JOE319]

Getting there...Looking Good