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February 24, 2009
Cleaning original brass fixtures
I just moved into an apartment that has all original brass door knobs and hinges. The one in the picture is one of those two-way swinging hinges and it is really beautiful and even has the 1878 patent carved into it. Unfortunately someone got some wood stain and paint on them, and I would love to clean them up. Can someone suggest how I would do this? Should I polish all the brass or leave it with the patina on it?
Comments
MM will know- I seem to remember we piled some of her antique door hardware into a solution of vinegar and water and boiled it. I may be wrong about the vinegar-I'll ask her to post. Worked beautifully and left the patina while taking off the paint and crud.
Posted by: bxgrl at February 24, 2009 3:18 PM
Patina's up to you, but if you don't want any, might try Noxon with a toothbrush. You can then carefully (not in the moving parts) spray an acrylic sealer to maintain the shine (else it will just oxidize again). If the spray sealer horrifies you can use paste wax.
Posted by: denton at February 24, 2009 5:20 PM
You can cook them in hot water. Just use a pot you will not use again for food.
Posted by: Northie at February 24, 2009 10:14 PM
Heres a short article that might help.
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/brass
Good luck
Posted by: NYCBuilder at February 25, 2009 11:38 AM
thanks guys...the article was helpful, I didn't know there were so many methods. The only problem with boiling and such is that I need to clean these pieces while they are still on the doors. I am afraid to take anything off since it's a rental and everything's extremely old. I'm gonna try the hot vinegar.
Posted by: boofer at February 25, 2009 12:00 PM
Nice rental!
Posted by: mopar at February 26, 2009 12:21 AM
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