While on the subject, a soak in "Apple Cider Vinegar" will work wonders on brass items you would think unsalvageable; even frozen up corroded threads come back to life.
Be a bit careful soaking brass items in acidic solutions - brass 'de-zincyfies' and eventually leave you with a copper sponge !
A well known phenomenon for underground water service valves in soil of the wrong acidity !
I used to wreck dive back when I was in my late twenty's. On occasion we salvaged brass & other hardware, which cleaned up phenomenally well using ACV.