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Restoring Brass Fixtures

I just purchased a home that is 36 years old the bathroom fixtures are brass, and have a ugly green tint to them. Can they be cleaned and restored or should I replace them? If they can be restored, what can I do to keep them from getting that way again?

Mary Cordes
- St. Louis, Missouri

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You didn't mention how much time you have on your hands. Yes, they can be restored, but to do it properly you will need to remove the clear finish (on the shiny brass), then hand polish, clean,(without leaving marks), and re-apply a good clear spray finish. All the materials can be purchased at a hardware store. Do not use chemical strippers for paint (these are usually caustic and will not be nice to brass). #0000 steel wool ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] with brass cleaner and elbow grease will achieve a reasonable polish. You can go over the part with a cloth + cleaner/polish to achieve a brighter finish. (More times = better finish = more work) You could spend a day on one fixture, or when at the hardware store buy new fixtures.

Wayne McKee
McKee Specialty - Mississauga, Ont, Canada