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Restore antique brass


How to restore brass | Homes & Gardens

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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 

Subscribe to Period Living for more inspiration    Period Living is a best-selling period homes magazine. A subscription provides you with all you need to know about caring for and improving a traditional house and garden.

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

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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'.

Having graduated with a first class degree in English Literature, Holly started her career as a features writer and sub-editor at Period Living magazine, Homes & Gardens' sister title. Working on Period Living brought with it insight into the complexities of owning and caring for period homes, from interior decorating through to choosing the right windows and the challenges of extending. This has led to a passion for traditional interiors, particularly the country-look. Writing for the Homes & Gardens website as a content editor, alongside regular features for Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors magazines, has enabled her to broaden her writing to incorporate her interests in gardening, wildlife and nature.  

How to Clean Brass and Remove Tacky Tarnish | Architectural Digest

For functional elements, such as locks, hinges, hardware, or light fixtures, Sorenson suggests seeking the help of a professional. “Wiring, mechanical complexity, and lubricating requirements generally turn these types of projects into more than simple DIY chores,” he says.

What is the fastest way to clean brass?

“The best way to clean a brass faucet is with a clean microfiber cloth and water,” says Abbas Imtiaz Poonawala, director of operations for Isenberg Faucets in Dallas. “This is natural and works wonderfully. For hard water scaling use a simple solution of vinegar and water.” For other pieces, always wash the brass before polishing. All you need to start is a mild dish soap, like Dawn Platinum Powerwash Free & Clear, and a warm water rinse. Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe away the soapy water and all the debris, dust, and dirt. 

If your brass isn’t too grimy, this might be all you need for a refresh. For a more neglected piece, store-bought brass cleaners will get your brass polished in a jiffy. Grab a soft cleaning cloth—Sorenson prefers a knit-cotton material, like an old undershirt—and buff away. To remove discoloration, use a cleaning product specifically designed for brass, like Wright’s Brass Polish. 

Our experts recommend some great store-bought cleaners to bring your brass back to its original luster in a jiffy. Brasso is great for to bring back shine to door knobs and locks. Bar Keepers Friend tackles both rust and tarnish on brass pieces. Twinkle Brass & Copper Cleaning Kit actually has an anti-tarnish ingredient that extends the treatment, making it ideal for outdoor pieces. Blue Magic is great for getting rid of tarnish and oxidation and works well on brass jewelry, the rim of a watch face, or a vintage tea set.

Though Hartman rubs in polish with very fine steel wool, she warns that you should never use anything thicker than grade 00 steel wool to avoid scratching the surface.  

What is the best homemade brass cleaner?

Of course, you don’t have to buy your brass polish. You probably have everything you need to make your own brass polish in your kitchen. Your ingredients will be all-natural, but fair warning: Hartman says, “The procedure is the same, but it takes a lot more elbow grease.” Here, four tried-and-true DIY cleaning solutions.

1. Lemon and baking soda polish

Combine the juice of half a lemon with a teaspoon of baking soda and stir until it becomes a paste. Apply the paste with a soft cloth. If the tarnish is heavy, let the piece sit with the paste on it for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water and dry. Repeat if necessary.

2. Lemon and salt polish

Slice a lemon in half and cover the cut section with a teaspoon of table salt. Rub the lemon on the tarnished piece, squeezing it as you go to release the lemon juice. Rinse with warm water and dry.

3. Flour, salt, and white vinegar

Combine equal parts of all three ingredients to create a paste. Apply a thin layer of that paste to the tarnished brass and leave it for an hour before rinsing with warm water and drying.

4. Ketchup, tomato sauce, or tomato paste

When you wondered how to clean brass, you probably didn’t think ketchup would be involved, but—surprise—it is! Tomatoes contain an acid that helps to remove tarnish on brass and other metals; that’s why applying a tomato-based product can work wonders on brass. Ketchup, tomato paste, and tomato sauce all work equally well. Apply a layer to your brass and leave it on for an hour. Then wash with warm water and dish soap. Let it dry.

What can I soak brass in to remove tarnish?

If you don’t have time to sit and polish brass, opt for soak, especially when it comes to larger items such as a bowl, candlestick holders, or something with a lot of detail. Combine one part white vinegar with two parts warm water, and let your brass items soak for at least four hours. Use this technique around your house in the same way as you would clean a showerhead, tying a bag filled with the solution. A bath of tomato sauce works equally well on small items like utensils and candlesticks.

Restoration of brass items • Briza-Art

Under the influence of time, nothing can stand. Even ferrous metals succumb to corrosion and rust, to say nothing of more elegant alloys. Brass objects also react poorly to negative external influences. They fade, the protective coating wears off, the color of the surface changes. You can restore the original attractiveness of fittings or antique interior items by ordering a brass products restoration service.

Why does brass tarnish?

Zinc-copper alloy has unique characteristics. Aesthetes are attracted by its beautiful appearance, high plasticity, low specific gravity and durability. Metal has found wide application in various spheres of human activity. It is used to make elite furniture, window and door fittings, elegant interior decor, various items for churches, museums and other public organizations.

Darkening is a characteristic chemical reaction for metals. Brass is affected by many environmental factors:

In addition, brass items wear out quickly due to the friction that occurs when touched. Therefore, constantly using such door or window handles, be prepared for the fact that their appearance will change over time.

Is it possible to restore the beauty of brass products with your own hands

Unusual metal needs normal care. It is important to prevent its oxidation by regularly cleaning the delicate surface from oxides and contaminants. To do this, use special wipes and household chemicals, the impact of which is safe for the coating. Stores sell special polishing pastes and compositions with fine abrasive particles. The main thing is to act carefully and not scratch the surface.

You can carry out such manipulations yourself. However, if as a result of cleaning cracks, depressions and other defects become noticeable, it will not be possible to do without the help of experienced craftsmen. It will not be possible to carry out metal surfacing on your own, as well as quietly solder the lost fragments.

Features of professional restoration of brass products

To work with an alloy, you need to understand its properties. Everything about brass is known only to competent specialists who make decor, accessories and other items from it. The master will be able to restore the product, giving it a second life. The methods are different.

  1. Use of difficult acid solutions.
  2. Removing the old paint and applying a new one.
  3. Surface cleaning with sandpaper.

This refurbishment is applicable for home interior products. If antiques are being restored or work with museum value is required, then the process requires special scrupulousness and care. For repairs, you will need special tools: engravers, jewelry drills, scrapers, scalpels and others. At home, such devices cannot be found, so the task should be entrusted to professionals. In the arsenal of a specialist there is also welding equipment, which, in turn, is also often used in the recovery process. In the hands of a master, any piece of brass will begin to shine elegantly again, captivating with the aesthetics of color and shape.

If the copy cannot be restored, you can use the service of creating a new item according to the sample. Masters will be able to embody a brass item that has become unusable or has lost its appearance, and then carefully “age” it. Such a thing is no different from the rest, for example, a dresser handle will be identical to the fittings on all drawers.

Restoration of brass products is a complex process. Work with the restoration of the external beauty of elegant fusible metal can only be entrusted to craftsmen who have sufficient experience and have confirmed their skills in practice.

How to restore the shine of brass cookware

Features of brass cookware

Brass cookware and kitchen utensils have been popular for a long time. They look elegant and bring zest to the modern interior of the kitchen. There is also an opinion that food cooked in such dishes is especially tasty. The reason for this may be a greater thermal conductivity and a more even distribution of heat than in a standard steel pan.

On the market of brass utensils, you can find both serial items produced in large factories and individual items from small workshops. The latter can be a real work of art. And thanks to the strength of the metal, brass utensils can be passed down from generation to generation, like real antiques.

The advantages of brass cookware include:

But it is worth studying the information about the possible harm of copper in the composition. When in contact with certain products, oxidation occurs. Once in the body, harmful substances can accumulate and cause poisoning. Given these negative consequences, the dishes are coated inside with a special protective bimetallic, ceramic or Teflon layer that has a non-stick effect.

Also disadvantages are:

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How to use and store brass cookware

Caring for brass cookware is easy. Wash it in the usual way: in warm water, using a sponge and dish detergent. Then carefully wipe with a soft cloth, completely wiping off the water. Unfortunately, brass likes only hand washing, the use of a dishwasher is prohibited. It is not recommended to use aggressive cleaners with abrasive particles and metal brushes.

If the brass is a little dull and tarnished, regular toothpaste will help. First, the product is washed in soapy water, and then rubbed with paste. Use only a soft brush or cloth to avoid scratching the surface. Rinse with warm water and wipe dry.

The use of soda is also effective. A cleaning gruel is prepared from 60 grams of soda and 50 milliliters of water. Spread the mixture over the surface with a sponge. After 20 minutes rub with half a lemon.

A popular recipe for bringing back the shine to a saucepan is to use a solution of flour, salt and vinegar. All ingredients are mixed in equal proportions. The solution is applied to the outside of the pan and left for a quarter of an hour. Rinse with water afterwards and pat dry.

Never put on a hot stove or pour boiling water into an empty container. During cooking, do not interfere with metal spoons and ladles, otherwise scratches on the bottom and walls of the container cannot be avoided.

If you plan to temporarily not use a brass product, it should be packed in wrapping paper or wrapped in a cloth. Store, of course, in a dry place.

How to clean brass from oxides at home

If the dishes are not washed effectively for a long time, a thick layer of oxide forms on the surface. You can clean old brass with oxalic acid. With strong oxidation, it is necessary to prepare a concentrated solution. To do this, take 200 grams of acid per 10 liters of water. The container is completely immersed in the liquid. A chemical reaction occurs, as a result of which the surface darkens noticeably.

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