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Brass door hardware refinishing


How to restore brass | Homes & Gardens

Restoring brass hardware can seem like a daunting task, especially if it's got years of tarnish build up or is a chore you've never tackled before. However, its actually surprisingly easy.

While slightly tarnished brass brings aged character to door fittings, creating an antique-style look, there is a fine line between a piece looking like an antique and one that looks corroded, unattractive and uncared for. 

Thankfully, we've rounded up a host of easy ways to restore brass hardware that will help you get the shine back in your favorite pieces.

See more cleaning know-how on our dedicated page.

What is brass hardware?

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Brass hardware is simply hardware made from solid brass. There are lots of brass-plated and finished versions but solid brass hardware offers a longevity and quality that adds traditional character to a home.

'Cast, sheet or spun brass was widely used to make door and window furniture but requires regular polishing. Some pieces may be lacquered or brass plated,' says Roger Hunt, Period Living's renovation expert and author of Old House Handbook .

How can you tell if hardware is brass?

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It is important to make sure that your hardware is actually made from brass before attempting these cleaning methods. If it is brass-plated or simply painted to look like brass, these methods can completely ruin your hardware.

Thankfully double checking is really easy. You can tell if hardware is brass by touching it with a magnet – if it sticks, it is not brass as brass isn’t magnetic.

If your hardware is not brass (as the magnet sticks to it), then gently washing with warm soapy water followed by a gentle rub with olive oil to chase out the water, is the best course of action and will have your hardware shining again in no time. Don’t polish it though as this can damage the plating.

If your magnet doesn’t stick and your hardware is brass then you have a wide variety of options to choose from, depending on the severity of the tarnishing.

Before starting any cleaning work though, you must remove your hardware. This will let you get in all the nooks and crannies as well as protecting your door. ‘Always keep the screws that came with each piece together with the hardware (I like to put the complete piece and fasteners in a plastic baggie),’ advises Jon Eaton the creative director of House of Antique Hardware .

Which products to use for restoring brass hardware

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Successful brass cleaning all comes down to the products you use. Whether you opt for store-cupboard essentials like lemon and salt or vinegar and baking soda or purchase a purpose-made cleaner, there are a few must-haves to complete your brass cleaning toolkit.  

How to restore brass with lemon and salt

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Create a paste using ¼ cup of salt with ½ cup of lemon juice, then rub into the brass with a soft toothbrush to remove tarnishing.  

However, you must make sure you wash off the lemon juice with water as it's acidic and will corrode the brass hardware if left. Once washed and dry, rub with olive oil to chase out the water and preserve the shine. 

How to restore brass hardware with baking soda and vinegar

It seems as though baking soda and vinegar can clean virtually everything and brass hardware is no exception.  

Mix ½ cup of baking soda with 1 cup of white vinegar to create a paste (you can also add 2 tbsp of table salt if your piece is badly tarnished). The paste will fizz for a few seconds. Once the paste has stopped fizzing, rub on to your brass hardware in circular motions with a toothbrush.  Let the paste sit for 30 minutes then rinse off.

Repeat if necessary, then rub with olive oil to protect the brass hardware and add shine. 

This feature was created by H&G's sister brand, Period Living magazine 

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How to restore heavily corroded vintage brass hardware

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Reclaimed brass hardware or vintage brass hardware can pose a greater challenge when it comes to restoration. These pieces may have not been cleaned for centuries. 'Brasso and a cloth won’t cut it, but luckily it’s not too expensive to have them machine polished,' says Paul Nash of Architectural Decor

'The restoration of brass hardware is an artform.' says Liz Gordon of Liz’s Antique Hardware . 'It requires stripping off old paint or removing aged finishes to arrive to the original patina of the base metal, then from there achieving the desired patina requires handwork and the use of a variety of techniques, like firing and buffing wheels for example. The results are rich patinas that may continue to age with time.'

How to restore lacquered brass hardware

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Lacquered brass hardware has a tendency to peel, which then allows the brass beneath to tarnish in some spots.

‘This is one of the trickiest situations,’ says Jon Eaton. ‘Sometimes brass is lacquer coated to prevent it from tarnishing, but inevitably the lacquer begins to wear off. In this case the only solution is to remove the lacquer and repolish.’

To restore lacquered brass hardware, soak it in a paint stripper for a few minutes and then use steel wool to scrub the lacquer until fully removed. This can take some time as the lacquer is clear, making it hard to see the spots you have missed. 

‘If you don’t remove every spec, your hardware will take on a spotted look,’ warns Jon Eaton. ‘However, you can identify any remaining lacquer residue by dipping the hardware in the brass ageing solution which will darken all the areas except those with lacquer. Don’t worry about the darkening effect of the ager as it will be removed by polishing.' 

How to restore brass hardware that has been covered or partially covered with paint

(Image credit: Unsplash/Dan Counsell)

When it comes to restoring brass hardware that has been covered with paint, ‘I prefer the boiling method over using a paint stripper,’ says Jon Eaton. ‘Add hardware to low boiling water – if you have several pieces I suggest doing one piece at a time so as not to get parts mixed up. Let it boil for a few minutes until the paint wrinkles up on the metal.

‘Remove the hardware with tongs and lay on paper towels on a counter or cookie sheet. You don’t need to dry them off and you want to work quickly. Using the steel wool rub the paint off the metal. It may take some scrubbing in places, and come off easily in others. Simply rub and polish till all paint is removed. Use a utility knife to pry any paint out of crevices, like the heads of screws.

‘Repeat until all the paint is removed then rub lightly all over with the finest grade steel wool to polish.’

How to polish brass hardware

'Regular polishing will keep brass looking attractive,' advises Roger Hunt, Period Living's renovation expert. Though you must take care when doing this as some chemical polishes can cause harm if they come into contact with stone, wood or paintwork. 'When polishing,' continues Roger, 'make a cardboard or plastic template to fit around the fitting so adjoining surfaces are protected and cleaning is easier, and be sure to gently wipe off dirt with a soft, damp cloth'.

How to Clean Brass Hardware to Make It Look Like New

By

Lauren Thomann

Lauren Thomann

Lauren Thomann is passionate about crafting and DIY home improvement, writing on both topics. While refurbishing her 1916 bungalow on her own, she shares lessons learned through her DIY and home improvement articles.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 11/08/22

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

In This Article

Project Overview

Some homeowners with older houses like the darkened patina that results as brass doorknobs, hinges, and other hardware begin to tarnish. It's even possible to artificially age new brass to get this antique look. But even if you want the metal in your home to look antique, it does not need to look corroded and unsightly with caked-on layers of tarnish and grime.

Tarnished brass hardware can be difficult to clean. It's easier when you use the right product or technique. There is a single product that can effectively clean brass hardware and other metals such as copper and stainless steel in a matter of minutes. Bar Keeper's Friend is a popular and effective metal cleaning product, but there is a variety of brass and metal cleaners available.

You can also make your own metal cleaner using baking soda and vinegar; it's not as effective but will work in situations where you want to remove some but not all of the patina.

Before You Begin

Carefully remove the hardware, making sure you do not strip the screws or damage the metal. If the screw slots are plugged with dirt or paint, you may need to scrape out the slots so that the screwdriver can grip the screw. A manual screwdriver works better than a drill driver to back out screws since brass is a fairly soft metal that is easily damaged.

Next, try to identify the type of metal. If it looks like brass, you'll need to figure out if the hardware is solid brass, or brass-plated. If it is solid brass, you will not have to worry as much about damaging the plating with an abrasive cleanser.

One simple method is to test with a magnet. Brass is a non-magnetic metal, so if a magnet is attracted to your hardware, it's likely comprised of a thin brass plating over an iron-based metal. In this case, you will need to be extra gentle in your cleaning and polishing to avoid abrading through the brass.

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

Equipment / Tools

Materials

Instructions

  1. Clean the Hardware With Lukewarm Water

    With the hardware removed, wipe off any dust or debris with a lint-free cloth. Submerge the items in lukewarm water and let them soak for a minute or two. If the hardware is very dirty, mix in a mild dish detergent to loosen the grime. After you remove the hardware from the water, move immediately to the next step without drying it.

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  2. Sprinkle the Hardware With Powdered Cleaner

    With the hardware fully wet, sprinkle on a powdered cleaning product so the metal is completely covered.

    If you are using vinegar and baking soda, first brush the hardware with a layer of vinegar, then sprinkle on baking soda. The mild chemical reaction of vinegar combined with baking soda is what loosens the tarnish. When it starts to fizz, you will know it is working.

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  3. Scrub Gently to Buff the Surface

    Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently buff the surface. The cleanser will become paste-like and begin removing the tarnish. If there is a heavy tarnish build-up, it may take repeated scrubbing; add more water and metal cleaner as needed.

    If you are using the baking soda and vinegar method, dip your toothbrush in a bowl of vinegar, and use that to buff the baking soda mixture on the metal.

    It will be obvious as the tarnish starts to come off, but if you want to retain some of the antique patina, focus the toothbrush on the high points and avoid the crevices and edges.

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  4. Rinse the Hardware

    Once the metal is cleaned to your liking, use lukewarm water to rinse off any remaining cleaning solution. Next, take a damp lint-free cloth or paper towel to buff the hardware. Make sure each piece is dried completely to prevent rust or tarnish issues.

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

Watch Now: Watch Now: Easy Ways to Refurbish Hardware

Brass interior door handles: tips for choosing

Functioning of any door is provided with fittings. Locks allow the structure to perform protective functions, with the help of hinges the door is attached to the box and it is possible to open it. Door hardware performs the modest tasks that involve manually opening and closing a door. But in terms of design, the handle is much more important than locks and hinges.

Doors can be used in different conditions, and door fittings are more exposed to mechanical stress and environmental influences. Despite the variety of designs, most of them can only be installed indoors.

One of the few materials that is able to endure any operating conditions and has high aesthetic characteristics is brass. Due to such universal qualities of an alloy of copper and zinc, it has long been used for the manufacture of door products. Accordingly, brass handles are the highest quality and in demand on the market.

What is brass

Brass is a two-component metal alloy. Its basis is copper, and zinc is presented as an alloying material. The history of the manufacture and use of brass is rich and varied. The material was used in ancient Rome. From there, the corresponding name for this alloy came.

Brass is characterized by high durability, ease of production of fittings, as well as an attractive appearance. The only thing the alloy is afraid of is high humidity, but its properties are quite easy to restore. To do this, you need to use improvised tools and tools that are easily found in any apartment or house.

Brass is supplied as a raw material in various lengths and diameters. They are easy to melt and cast in a variety of shapes. Due to this, even the most daring design ideas regarding fittings and other products can be realized.

Brass fittings

Brass furniture fittings come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. This is one of the good reasons for the high popularity of such products. Brass handles on the modern market are represented by the following types:

Mortise fittings are in particular demand. The finish can also be different: smooth (polished), matte or a certain texture. The most suitable style for such products is retro. Handles in this style are usually complemented with decorative elements: stone, glass and others.

Features

This material is ductile and easy to process. It has a low melting point. Cast models are made of brass, which represent a separate range of exclusive door fittings.

Cast door decorative model

Important! A distinctive feature of any copper-based alloys is the ability to maintain an attractive appearance precisely due to intensive use, during which the surface is constantly polished.

Brass interior door handle

This material is expensive. As a rule, well-known world manufacturers (Coba, Mandelli Linea Cali) work with it, which produce high-quality premium door fittings.

Design features of brass fittings

Handles are made entirely of brass or combined with other decorative materials. As a rule, other metals and alloys are rarely used. More often these are inserts made of wood, plastic, glass. Often, single door handles for interior doors have brass rosettes, and the handle itself is made from any other decorative material.

Glass knob on a brass rosette

Push and turn handles made of brass or coated to look like it are widely used. Pure alloy fittings are more often polished. But other surfaces of the material that are obtained by matte grinding, oxidation with a reddish or antique tint, varnishing also look spectacular.

Copper alloy is used as a high quality base for chromium plating. In such a tandem, the silver-like decorative layer holds firmly and does not peel off due to the special physical and chemical properties of copper.

Surface restoration of brass handle

Uncoated brass handles lose their luster and tarnish over time. The lacquer coating is scratched or chipped. Fittings made of copper alloys, unlike other materials, are able to completely restore their appearance after preventive cleaning and polishing.

Polished brass fittings

The brass handle is cleaned with common household chemicals: vinegar, ammonia (ammonia). To clean the front door handle you will need: salt, vinegar, a small ladle and a clean rag. Tooth powder or extra salt is used as an abrasive:

Old paintwork can be chemically removed with solvents.

An uncoated pen is cleaned with vinegar in which excess salt has been dissolved. The surface is wiped with a cloth moistened with this solution. Vinegar will dissolve dark spots of oxidized metal plaque, and undissolved salt crystals will mechanically remove other contaminants.

Remove heavy soiling with a cloth soaked in ammonia.

After treatment with ammonia, neutralize its residues with a solution of vinegar.

After washing, the handles are dried and polished with special pastes.

The result can be fixed with polyurethane varnish for metal.

Video of Italian brass handles:

Brass handles are still expensive and high-quality fittings, which are associated with style, durability and reliability.

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Restoration of brass fittings | lenrestavrator.ru

Restoration of brass fittings

Brass is a traditional material for the manufacture of door handles and other fittings. It is strong, beautiful and has been working for decades without problems. But even the most reliable things periodically need repair and restoration. Combined with wood, glass, stone and other natural materials, brass looks great. She is not afraid of rust and does not lose her properties even after decades.

Brass fittings were often used on antique doors and windows; in the process of their restoration, the original door handles, hinges, latches, latches, cremones, wrappings are also restored.

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc with a yellowish color. This alloy lends itself well to processing, so it is often used to make elegant fittings.

Brass benefits:

But it also has disadvantages: The alloy is quite soft, its strength is significantly lower than that of steel. Therefore, brass fittings are often damaged and deformed. The surface of brass tarnishes, so it needs to be cleaned periodically.

Restoration of brass fittings allows you to restore the original appearance of antique doors and windows. This is a mandatory and very important element of restoration work. Restoration is a delicate and time-consuming process that requires knowledge and experience from the master.

Restoration steps for brass fittings:

Order restoration of brass fittings

Not every master can entrust the restoration of brass fittings, it requires experience and knowledge. We employ the best masters of St. Petersburg, who are able to create real miracles and recreate the original appearance of any product.

Learn more