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Changing appearance of brass to satin chrome without plating?
I'm trying to find a chemical compound or other solution to change the color of a 2" wide, 40" long brass bar that runs the length of my fireplace to a color and finish more like a satin chrome or nickel. Most of the metal plating companies in my area have closed, and the one or two that I have located do not accept jobs as small as mine. Can anyone offer any advice?
Thanks,
Carri O'Neillhomeowner - Corte Madera, California, USA
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Unfortunately, brass is brass and chrome is chrome, and one is goldish while the other is silverish.
You may have to ship the item to get it plated. Labor is the biggest part of the cost of most things, and to replate a single item, spending a couple of hours in the process, will make it cost more than most consumers think it's worth. But if it's special to you, a plating shop can certainly do it.
Something that is dirt cheap and may or may not impart the look you want is a metallic wax rub
[
wax rub
[linked by editor to Rub 'n' Buff product info at MisterArt]], probably only applicable if this is a decorative feature far removed from the fire and doesn't get hot.
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 Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |
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Plating of a single item can be very expensive. You could try a can of high temperature aluminum paint. It can be moderately close to a satin finish.
James Watts- Navarre, Florida
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You can try with paste silvering or tinning!
Paste silvering recipe:
10 gm silver chloride
20 gm salt
20 gm cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate)
It must be rubbed on grease and oxide free object(with piece of leather or cork) and you must lacquer or wax it!Good luck!
Goran Budija- Zagreb, Croatia
September 9, 2011
Hello! Wow, I ran across this page while Googling and what a terrific resource it is!
I'm purchasing a new coffee table (Thomasville Stiletto) that is absolutely perfect for my new living room, however, it is made of brass and finished in a dull, goldish metallic color.
I'd like to make it more silver than gold to match the rest of the room concept. I was thinking of using a product that could be rubbed on so that it overall takes more of a silver color than just painting it solid silver.
Does anyone have recommendations for the best product, paint or method to accomplish this?
Thanks!
Chris
Hobbyist - Orlando, Florida, USA
December 25, 2011
www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/tips/strip-brass-plating-with-oven-cleaner-style-north-139280
I saw this on the Nate Burkus show and they used oven cleaner to
change the color of brass to chrome. the chemical in the oven cleaner
alters the brass color and it looks just like chrome without painting
and looks much better.
- Evanston, Illinois, USA
December 26, 2011
Hi, Marianne.
That is an interesting possibility. Thanks! It is true that a lot
of brass colored stuff is actually nickel plating with a flash of
brass plating over it, or a tinted lacquer over it. If you can remove
that top layer, you can be left with the bright nickel plating.
Regards,
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Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |