Letter 22007

Brass protection  

+++

Is it OK to spray lacquer on brass to keep it from tarnishing? If not, is there some other coating I could use for the same purpose?

Thanks,

Pat W [last name deleted for privacy]
- Oakland, CA, USA

Pat,

I am also interested in knowing if I can use a lacquer on my old brass lanterns that are on either side of my front door. Can you tell me what you have found out about this.

Thanks,

Mimi N [last name deleted for privacy]
- Charleston, SC, USA

Yes, that's what brass lacquer is for. You can find out more about the technology of brass lacquers from Agate Lacquer or G.J. Nikolas, and people should contact them for industrial quantities of brass lacquer.

For small quantities for home use, you could buy a spray can of Brass Lacquer [link is to product info at Rockler] Brass lacquer. Good luck with it!

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

 

Recently purchased two outdoor brass light fixtures; want to keep that nice shiny look. Would some water-based acrylic sealer work just as well as the "Brass Lacquer" mentioned in the earlier post?

Sophia Schmidt
- Gaithersburg, MD

Hi, Sophia. Acrylic sealer might work okay. The principal advantage of brass lacquer is probably the ease of removal with lacquer thinner [link is to product info at Amazon] or Acetone [link is to product info at Rockler]. If you put acrylic sealer on and it starts fading or chipping, or the brass starts tarnishing in areas, it's not easy to redo.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E. 
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey

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