Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Removing Lacquer Finish from Brass Hardware
Q. I am trying to remove the clear lacquer finish from new exterior door hardware for 5 sets of Marvin doors. I tried applying Klean Strip for 15 to 30 minutes, per manufacturers directions, but no success. Any suggestions?
Richard Halloran- Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, USA
2003
A. Richard,
A lacquer finish needs a lacquer type SOLVENT ... and your Clean Strip, which I'm not familiar with, might well remove lower grade finishes such as enamel and latex.
So go and get some aromatic hydrocarbons or some polar solvents such as acetone
⇦ this on
eBay
or
Amazon
[affil links] Warning! highly Flammable!
... and try that.
But why in the hell are you trying to remove that finish? If you succeed, you'll have to polish it and polish it until the base metal eventually appears. Yuck.
Freeman Newton [deceased]
(It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).
2003
Q. I am new to clock repair and have been attempting to find an easy way remove the factory applied lacquer finish to the brass on anniversary clocks. I have tried soaking the parts in acetone, coating with paint stripper with no results. I know that buffing with a good compound with work, but very time consuming and generates a lot of heat. As a point of interest for final finish and protection after buffing I use a product called Flitz ⇦[this on eBay or Amazon affil links] ..absolutely amazing. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...Thanks...Paul A.
Paul Arsenaulthobbyist in clock repair - Glen Brunie, Maryland, USA
2006
A. Although you are calling it lacquer -- perhaps for lack of a better word -- it's not lacquer if lacquer thinner ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] Warning! highly flammable! doesn't remove it. Methylene chloride based "Aircraft Stripper" should remove just about whatever it is, but it's very nasty stuff!
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007
Q. Thanks for the info. If my memory serves me correctly, while working at Pratt Whitney aircraft back in the 60's we used a product to degrease parts that was heated in huge subfloor vats and smelled like acetone. Is this the chemical you are referring to? Thanks..Paul A.
Paul Arsenault- Glen Burnie, Maryland, USA
2007
A. Hi again. I probably shouldn't try to guess what chemical Pratt & Whitney used to degrease parts, so I added an Amazon link for the aircraft stripper which you can study further if you wish. Good luck
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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