Letter 40047

Need Advice on Refinishing Brass Lamp Outside

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What is the best way to refinish my Brass exterior lamp outside my front door? I can see large areas of exposed metal where brass has worn off. But the lamp still works perfectly. I am trying not to throw it away. Any suggestions anyone?

Verlin Whittler
Real Estate - Atlanta, Georgia

Unfortunately you cannot do brass plating yourself, Verlin. Your choices are to find a paint you like (maybe a brass toned one) or send it to a plating shop for replating. The latter is likely to cost as much or more than an inexpensive replacement, and would only be applicable if the lamp were very high quality, antique, hard to replace, or of sentimental value.

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