How do I polish brass?
Q. How can I spruce up antique brass door furniture without damaging it?
A. Never use a file or sandpaper for this task - brass is a soft metal, so
this will leave deep scratches in the surface. To tackle the job
properly, the first step is to remove all the furniture from the door.
Label it so that you know which parts go where. Next, wash off as much
dirt and grease as possible with warm water and detergent. You can use
a short-bristled brush to work into any mouldings.
Dry the brass and check the surface. If you see crackled patches, it
has been treated with a coat of lacquer in the past. This must be
removed before you can start to polish. Use an old paintbrush to work
a generous coating of paint stripper over the door furniture, which
will dissolve the lacquer. Neutralise the chemical with plenty of
water and allow to dry. The final stage involves plenty of elbow
grease, a soft cloth and brass polish. You can speed up the process
by using a random orbit sander fitted with a soft polishing bonnet to
bring back the original lustre.
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