could anyone please help me with a problem I have polishing brass?

Question

Our front door handle and lock are tarnished. I tried some special brass cleaner and it didn't even touch it. There seems to be a varnish coating on the handle. How can I get that coating off so I can shine up the brass? Thank you in advance. I welcome suggestions.

Answer 1

First you will need 00 or 000 steel wool. Rub until you see that the coating is off. It shouldn't take to long. Then polish with Brasso. That will take quite a few rags. Be sure you keep polishing until Brasso and tarnish residue is all off. It should come out beautiful. There are products such as Stay-Bright (Brite) that can be purchased from a catalog for an after spray to help keep it polished looking. Check also at a craft store for a finishing spray to help protect the brass.

Answer 2

Modern brass hardware (door knobs) have a clear coat applied at the factory, buy a roll of painters tape and tape the surrounding door use a piece of brass wool,like steel wool to remove the clear coat with a little paint thinner than polish, if the knob is inexpensive replacement might be a quicker option

Answer 3

Before you try to polish it, clean the brass thoroughly with laquer thinner. It will dissolve almost any kind of clear coat, from acrylic or varnish to laquer. Then, the brass polishing compound should work just fine. I usually use "Brasso" or "Tarnite" with a soft rag. Once you have it polished just the way you want it, spray the hardware with a lacquer or clear acrylic to keep the shine for a while.

Answer 4

Steel wool.. and Brasso.
But, just remember, once you get that coating off, you have to always keep that doorknob shined up and protected, otherwise, it'll get worse than it is now.

Answer 5

you will need to remove the coating with paint remover

Answer 6

this might help ya good luck