Letter 20032

Achieving patina on a lacquered brass bed  

+++ I am trying to achieve an antique patina look on a queen size brass bed that has a coating of lacquer. First, how do I remove the lacquer? Next, how do I get the patina. I don't want the green finish, I want the old unpolished look. Thank you! Jan M - Midland, Texas ++++++ Assuming the bed is an older one and it actually is lacquer, it is removed with lacquer thinner [link is to product info at Amazon], Jan. After that, just a little patience will dull it to that warm brown color of brass. Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey +++++++ I have an antique french brass bed that I have been polishing for 35 years now and with age has come arthritis. It's just too much work to polish. I would like to change the brass to a rusty look. It would have to be a technique that didn't require dipping due to the size of the bed; nor moving it out of the bedroom (too heavy). Is there a paint available to acquire a rusty look or something as simple? Any help you can be would be appreciated. Jayne Chandler Home owner - Jamesville, New York

+++++++ You don't really have to do anything to achieve that, Jayne. Just stop polishing it; it will begin to tarnish quickly and will become yellow-brown with time. You can accelerate the process if you feel you need to by spritzing with vinegar and salt, or some people suggest toilet bowl cleaners. Ted Mooney finishing.com Brick, New Jersey +++++++ I have been doing battle with a brass bed which over the years has become almost blackened. I tried Brasso [link is to product info at Amazon] but gave up on that. Finally, I came up with a chemical solution : Glacial Acetic Acid diluted 5 : 1 with water. It is a highly caustic, corrosive substamce and ideally should be applied with protective gloves [link is to product info at Amazon]. The solution is so weak that this is really an option. Apply with a toothbrush and rub a little. Wipe off with aclean rag pulling the rag around the vertical struts. It really works wonders. Sample it on a hidden area to check its effectiveness before doing the whole bed. Good luck. Mike Jacobs Michael Edward Jacobs Retired - Cape Town, South Africa