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Shiny gold tone electric fixtures are outdated

I have several shiny gold toned electric sconces (circa 1998) that I would love to refinish with an aged pewter look. Do I need to remove the gold look with ammonia ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] or other and start from scratch? Any process or pro product to recommend?

Gail Coleman
remodeler, homeowner - Fort Worth, Texas
September 7, 2008

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Hi, Gail. Inexpensive sconces are probably not brass -- they could be anything from brass plated to nickel plated with a brass toned lacquer. Trying to figure out how to chemically react some unknown surface to make it look like some other metal will be an exercise in futility like trying to bake a cake from some unknown white powder found in the basement (it will come out very different depending on whether the powder is flour, confectioner sugar, plaster of paris, or baking soda). There are lots of fancy spray paints these days, including pewter colored, and that's the only way to go short of sending the sconces to a plating shop. Before painting, wash them with acetone ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] Warning! highly Flammable! (careful, it's flammable), which will remove any lacquer as well as most oils. Then prime with a self-etching primer ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
September 11, 2008

Thanks so much, Ted! Sounds like a little trial and error is in order. If I take them to a plating shop, can they determine what the metal is?

Gail Coleman [returning]
remodeler, homeowner - Fort Worth, Texas
September 12, 2008

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Yes, Gail, they can. You can do some preliminary figuring if you wish. Steel is magnetic, neither real brass or anything else it might be is strongly attracted to a magnet. Aluminum is much lighter than other metals. You may be able to scratch the back of the sconce and learn something about what it's made of. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
September 14, 2008

Ted, you have been MOST helpful.I truly appreciate your kindness. Thanks so much!

Gail Coleman [returning]
remodeler, homeowner - Fort Worth, Texas
September 18, 2008

We have a beautiful home but have dated gold tone fixtures throughout. We would like to know if it is possible to paint them or have them painted . If the cost to have them painted is too much it may exceed the cost of just having to replace them. I would love to try and do the work ourselves but need to know the correct procedures in order to assure a good outcome. Please help?!

Deanne Howard
- Surprise, Arizona
July 15, 2009

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Hi, Deanne. If they are brass, you must start with an 'etch primer'; regular paint will not stick to brass.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
July 16, 2009