Relaquer Brass Door Handle

From wear and use some of the brass had started to develop a gorgeous patina that matched that of the original brass door knobs that were installed by my great grandfather in the 1950s.

Relaquer brass door handle.

Cleaning and polishing brass door knobs and hardware is an excellent do it yourself project but re plating is best left to professional restorers. Boarder off the brass from the surrounding area using painters tape. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc with tin or aluminum added to some types for corrosion and tarnish resistance. A door handle with a smooth finish will be much easier to de lacquer than an ornate candlestick with intricate details.

To remove any remaining flakes from nooks and crannies cut thin strips of clean cloth and pull back and forth over any indentations. You ll need to refinish any of the tarnished areas of the brass. Spray a layer of lacquer over the brass in thin layers. Apply 3 or 4 coats of lacquer to the item allowing the lacquer to dry completely between coats.

If you do not have a pot large enough you can dip the brass halfway into the pot then do the other side. Small cracks and pinholes can develop in the protective coating which expose the bare metal to water vapor and oxygen. After you polish the brass you will want to protect it by applying a protective coating to the surface. Exposure to elements causes brass to eventually become corroded and discolored.

Using a paintbrush will help you reach crevices when applying a commercial lacquer remover. Using 1 tablespoon for each quart of water combine your ingredients in a saucepan or pot large enough to house your brass item. Infuriatingly however some of the kitchen knobs were still very glossy 80s brass and looked brand new. This is to stop the lacquer from getting onto other areas such as wood on doors or glass panels.

Try using a high gloss urethane or uv resistant clear lacquer to the brass object. You need a clean cloth and some brass cleaner like brasso to remove the tarnish. Brass objects are often coated with a lacquer finish to help protect them from tarnishing and discoloration. Watch more housekeeping tips videos.