Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Removing lacquer from newly plated brass
I had Iron and steel parts brass-plated with the intention of antiquing them. They finished them with some kind of lacquer or enamel, and my darkening solution doesn't work. How do I best remove this coating, keeping in mind that some of the pieces are too large for me to immerse them in anything?
Rob Emmethobbyist - Brooklyn
October 18, 2009
First of two simultaneous responses --
Rob, if you didn't specify any coating over the brass plating, then you take the items back to the platers and tell them to remove the unwanted and unordered coating at no cost to you.
Bill Reynolds [deceased]
consultant metallurgist - Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
We sadly relate the news that Bill passed away on Jan. 29, 2010.
October 19, 2009
Second of two simultaneous responses --
It might be wax also. Start out with lacquer thinner [on eBay or Amazon] and repeated clean cloths. Beware that it is flammable and can be explosive in a tight range of fuel air mixture. Long term breathing of the fumes is not good for the body.
James Watts- Navarre, Florida
October 19, 2009
Try ammonia [on eBay or Amazon]/ acetone [on eBay or Amazon](1/3) mixture-bad smelling but very effective.Any paint stripper can be used too(solvent based!).Hope it helps and good luck!
Goran Budija- Zagreb,Croatia
October 23, 2009
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