[maxman10]

Am getting ready to paint in here and sell the house. Does anyone know what this green residue is on the light fixture and how to get rid of it?

 

[joecaption]

Just a little oxidation. A product like Brasso and a rag will make it look like new.
Do not use anything abrasive.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/BRASSO/14862623

 

[Brushjockey]

Must have some copper in it, that's what turns green.

 

[user1007]

BJ is right. Brass is an alloy made from copper and zinc. Joe, Brasso is abrasive with quartz or silicon. Brasso Gadget is abrasive free but I have never used it.

Careful with Brasso. It works great on hard brass but is very harsh and can scratch things up in a hurry. It is hard to tell the thickness of the plating on that fixture from the photos.

I have always liked Flitz for metals I was not sure about. You can get it online or even at auto parts or marine parts places and I suppose hardware stores. A tube of the stuff will last you a long time.

Your real lighting store will have probably have safe metal polishes. Most janitorial supply places sell retail now but you end up having to buy more than I suspect you want of anything.