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Refinish shiny brass into antique look

How can I use oven cleaner ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] (or another product) to refinish a shiny brass chandelier into an antiqued finish?

Suellyn [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Georgetown, Kentucky
2003

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2003

Unfortunately, Suellyn, unless you are sure it is solid brass you are probably better off painting it.

Most 'shiny brass' isn't brass these days because there are so many alternative finishing methods designed to imitate it at lower cost. It could be brass plated, it could be a zirconium nitride topcoat, it could be tinted electrophoretic lacquer over nickel plating, it could be anodized and dyed aluminum, it could be a factory-applied metallic paint.

If it is solid brass, the fact that it is still shiny means that there is an antitarnish coating on it--which again brings up variations; it may be lacquer, a powder clearcoat, or some other finish. If it's lacquer, then lacquer thinner ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] Warning! highly flammable! will remove it. Don't use oven cleaner! Aircraft stripper.
will very likely remove whatever the coating is without harming the metal, but it's really noxious stuff to be used only outside, with good ventilation, wearing rubber gloves ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and goggles ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] (don't even think about using aircraft stripper (methylene chloride) in situ!)

Unless you want to take it to a plating shop for professional refinishing, the best approach is probably to find an attractive paint of the right shade, or maybe a Rub n Buff ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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How can I change a polished brass finish on bathroom fixtures and shower frame to oil rubbed bronze? Diana Keyes hobbyist - Georgetown, Texas 2004 I bought a light fixture for a hallway that exactly matches an older fixture in our entry except for the finish. The entry has an antique brass finish (which I like) and the new one has a polished brass finish. Is there something I can do to change the polished brass finish to an antique brass finish? Becky Donnici hobbyist - Gladstone, Missouri 2004 I am redecorating our master bathroom. All the fixtures are currently brass and I want to know if there is a way to make them look "weathered" or old & tarnished as opposed to bright & shiny. I don't want to go to the expense of replacing everything if possible. Stephanie Hyman homeowner - Laguna Beach, California 2004

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If the item is real brass (first clue is that it's not brass if it's magnetic; second clue is if it's the same weight as aluminum, it's aluminum), and if you can remove the lacquer with lacquer thinner ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] Warning! highly flammable! , or Aircraft Stripper you may be able to darken the brass with liver of sulfur ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] or brass darkening solution ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

I have a brass mantle lamp. I would like it to be brushed gold to match the picture frame it is illuminating. How do I change brass to brushed gold ?

Patricia A Reinhardt
Hobbyist - Aurora, Illinois
2006

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Hi, Patricia. The best way would be to send it to a plating shop for brushing and gold plating. But if you want to experiment with very low cost approaches, I'd suggest trying a Rub n Buff ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . Good luck

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2006

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2007

I'm remodeling my house and using "oil rubbed bronze" fixtures. The door knobs are not magnetic. Is there a way to give them the look of oil rubbed bronze? The hinges are magnetic, but I somehow gave them the oil rubbed look, by using paint remover ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and "goo-be gone" to take off paint that was left by the previous owners. Now if I can turn the handles, I'd have a consistent look.

Thanks so much for your help.

Regards,

Rebecca Adams
homeowner - Leawood, Kansas

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I am making a jewelry box and I got the hasp and the hinges. Now the hasp is a antiqued brass but the hinges are more of a buffed brass. Would there be any way to give the hinges an antique look?

Age: 17
Grade: Sophmore (Grade 10)

Matt K [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
Woodworker - Washington, New Jersey
2007

Hello! My name is Teresa. I am new to this site. 5 years ago we purchased a new house. We bought new brass chandeliers throughout our house. I guess at that time we didn't know that brass was 'out' and the new look of silver or finish was now 'in'. Well, we have too many to replace plus we don't have the money. Does anyone know how to change that brass finish to something more updated? I saw it done on HGTV but don't remember how they did it. I would appreciate any suggestions. And to think I was so proud of those beautiful brass chandeliers! :) Hey, I just remembered another thing. We also have med/dark oak cabinets. Now I see that they are also outdated! Any suggestions? Would painting them white hurt the resale of our house if we ever choose to sale? Or should I just change finish w/out painting? Please remember I can't afford to have it professionally done. Sorry, wish I could.

Teresa Dedman
hobbyist, homemaker - Georgetown, Kentucky
June 3, 2008

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I have outside brass lighting, five fixtures, they are not magnetic, so may be brass, but seem rather weathered and not in a good way. I would like to clean them up and maybe darken them, but don't want to make a mess because I can't afford to replace all of them. I'm sure there is a factory applied lacquer that is not holding up.
I have tried to clean them, but a lot of sort of pitted tarnish remains. What can I use that will hold up in medium mild weather?

Louise Gumbinger
- Rancho Murieta, California
October 9, 2008

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October 26, 2008

Hi, Louise. Remove any remaining lacquer with lacquer thinner ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] Warning! highly flammable! or acetone ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] Warning! highly Flammable! . Remove the tarnish with something strong like Revere Copper Cleaner ⇦ this on eBay [affil links] or vinegar ⇦in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil links] plus salt. Polish with Brasso ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] or Flitz ⇦[this on eBay or Amazon affil links] , and spray several thin coats of brass lacquer ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

Hi My name is Judy. I replaced all the knobs in my kitchen a few years ago with oiled bronze knobs. I absolutely love the look. Unfortunately the knobs on the cabinets that we use most frequently have lost that oiled look and appear more bronze. Is there a way to restore them back to their nice oiled finish? I would appreciate any insight you can give me on this.

Judy Hilla
home owner - Brielle, New Jersey
November 21, 2008

We have a shiny brass (a la 1980's) entry hall lamp which we would like to use in a new house. But we'd need to change that bright shiny finish to the matte bronzy-brown finish that's popular today. How can we do that? Could you please supply branded product names? Thank you so much.

Linda Deahl
Homemaker - Waterford, Michigan, U.S.A.
February 16, 2011

Hi. I have two (2) dark brown chairs with brass legs. These chairs are contemporary, so they look somewhat like a five, only with a straight top. Anyway, they are great chairs and I would like to make them look better. You have mentioned painting over plated brass, but how do I get rid of the pits? And, what kind of paint is used. Thanks, Linnie

Linnie Cole
Hobbyist - Windham, NH USA
June 20, 2011

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Hi, Linnie.

There are "fillers" like Lab-metal ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , but I'm not certain that the pits are big enough to justify filling that way. Getting paint to adhere to brass is a notorious difficulty, so make sure you use a self-etching primer first, and then your finish coat. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
June 21, 2011