I recently bought a home with expensive solid brass exterior door hardware. Unfortunately, when the house was last painted, the painters used solvent on the door hardware (according to the sellers) and removed the protective coating on the brass. The hardware is now turned a dark brown. I would like to polish the handles and reapply the protective coating.
What is the best way to do this?
Replies
Solid brass is easily cleaned up and polished. A buffing wheel and some compounds will do what you want to do. Go to it.
If you are able, get some spray lacquer in a can, clear, to coat the hardware when you are satisfied with the sheen and polish.
All true. An alternative would be to find a metal plating shop. I've used a few of them and they are seriously good at polishing and coating.
I just came out of my shop after spending about 3 hours cleaning up the hardware/hinges I picked up at a salvage place for two doors -- one for the main entry, the other for the vestibule.
Years ago I picked up the cheapest 6" grinder I could find (about $30). I threw away the guards and grinding wheels, and installed a fine wire wheel on one shaft, and a buffing wheel on the other.
The hardware I was working on was solid brass, but had been painted. So I glopped on stripper first, and got most of the paint off, then put it on the wire wheel. After all the tarnish and paint was removed, I followed by polishing it up on the buffing wheel with a couple of different buffing compounds.
After everything is clean and shiny, I spray it (with a can) with lacquer.
In your case the buffing wheel is probably all you need.
You could also use any brass polish, but that is a lot slower.
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"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-