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How can I paint my shiny brass fireplace doors for nice patina?

2007

I have a shiny brass fireplace enclosure with glass doors that I would like to resurface to look like oiled bronze or an aged bronze. I would also be content with an antiqued brass, as long as I can get rid of the shiny appearance. I am replacing the hearth with marble that is a deep chocolate with white veining. the fireplace facade is painted white brick.

I purchased a bonder called UMA Bonder ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] ; it is a white primer/sealer that is suppose to adhere to all surfaces and prepare for painting. Will this do the trick? What type of paint would you recommend that would most closely imitate a bronze finish?
Thank you!

Dena Taylor
homeowner/designer - Seattle, Washington, USA

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Why would you want to paint this feature when you can give it a real oil rub patina over the brass? You first need to remove the protect finish or lacquer using a stripper/remover. We have a brown/black patina which you would apply to a cleaned surface which will give you the look you seek..Best of luck

Barry Feinman
BarrysRestoreItAll

Carlsbad, California

2007

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I am very interested in being able to take the shiny brass look away. Where can I buy the products mentioned about taking off the protective surface and changing to a black/brown patina? I checked the web site and am unable to find.

Thanks,

Judy Curtis
- East Bernard, Texas
2007

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2007

I imagine the lacquer could be removed with a bit of toluene or Xylene ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . These are available at the hardware store. Use outside, or with good ventilation, and, don't get it in contact with your skin - these solvents are toxic.

Then, try a bit of ferric nitrate, dissolved in water. This should give it a nice antiqued look. Be prepared to mess around with it for a while until you get the look you like.

Dave Wichern
Consultant - The Bronx, New York

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2007

Judy, you can use a gel-type lacquer stripper as it will be easier to control. Once removed, we can sell you the necessary patina mixture to get the patina look your looking for. Please contact me to discuss. Do use rubber gloves ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] as stripper chemicals can be nasty.

Barry Feinman
BarrysRestoreItAll

Carlsbad, California

I have this same shiny brass in my bathroom around the mirrors and it also frames in the shower doors. Would it be possible to do the patina technique in the bathroom considering the moisture element?

Sharyl Felice
- Hollister, California, USA
October 10, 2011

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Hi, Sharyl.

Unless they were very, very expensive (several thousand dollars), your shower doors are anodized, dyed, aluminum -- not brass. The reagents that darken brass will not darken aluminum.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
October 10, 2011