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Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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Lacquer Removal from Brass Hardware

Q. Our brass outside door hardware appears to have been lacquered originally, but the lacquer is worn off in spots. When I polish with Brasso, the parts where the lacquer is worn off shines nicely, but the blackened lacquer parts don't respond at all. How can I remove the remains of the lacquer and get down to solid brass. Then I can polish and clear coat it.

Edwin Felch
- Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
2001

Acetone
acetone

on eBay or

Amazon

(affil links)

A. Dear Edwin,

Try using some acetone ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] Warning! highly Flammable! to strip the remaining lacquer off of your piece. If that doesn't work, it's because the coating was baked on, you'll need to get a stripper with methylene chloride in it. These are both dangerous chemicals, you must use them in an area with ventilation, and you need a activated carbon respirator ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . I strongly advise you to find more information about methylene chloride before using it, this may be a carcinogen. Once you get it all stripped off, continue polishing with Brasso ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , then clean with acetone ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] Warning! highly Flammable! to remove the compound off the piece, clear coat and you are done. If you don't want to go through this trouble, try a polishing shop in your area.

Good Luck

Jake Koch
G. J. Nikolas &Co.,Inc.

Bellwood, Illinois

2001

Q. I found what I believe is a hand-made spittoon. I cleaned it then put lacquer on it, now want to take it off.
Thank You

Brenda Jones
- Hubbardsville, New York, U.S.A.
May 10, 2012

A. Hi Brenda.

If you put actual brass lacquer on it, it should be readily removable with acetone ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] Warning! highly Flammable! as suggested by Jake. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
May 11, 2012

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