Letter 12010

Antiquing Polished Brass

I am ready to install a carpet runner on my main staircase in the section of my home which has antique brass and satin chrome lighting and hardware. I would like to add stair rods as well but can only afford to install polished brass rods which will clash with the desired affect. Cost is a major concern. I will need approx. 22 rods & pairs of claps/finials. The rods I can afford are between $8-$10 in polished brass whereas the antique brass rods are going for $45-$70. I want to change the look of the polished brass to an antique brass look. I can only find products for antiquing unlacquered brass.

How do I change the polished brass (which is lacquered) to an antique brass? Is it worth the trouble?

Thank you,

Nancy Martinez
- Cliffside Park, NJ

If they truly are lacquered brass, you can strip the lacquer with lacquer thinner [link is to product info at Amazon], and then your antiquing solutions will work.

However, it is less expensive for the manufacturer to make such parts by nickel plating them and then applying a translucent brass-toned electrophoretic lacquer than to actually brass plate them. Consequently there is a good chance that inexpensive "brass" rods don't have any real brass on them so antiquing solutions can't work.

Since these are not expensive heirlooms, and since they already have some sort of organic (lacquer, clearcoat) finish, I'd probably try a spray can of Rustoleum or Krylon "antique brass" paint. Good luck!

Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey

I am buying a home that has brand new expensive brass handles on the front door as well as kick plates. They are very shiny and are not our style. How could I antique these?

Julie Albracht
- Amarillo, TX

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