Lacquer Removal from Brass Hardware
+Q. Our brass outside door hardware appears to have been lacquered originally, but the lacquer is worn off in spots. When I polish with Brasso, the parts where the lacquer is worn off shines nicely, but the blackened lacquer parts don't respond at all. How can I remove the remains of the lacquer and get down to solid brass. Then I can polish and clear coat it.
Edwin Felch- Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
A. Dear Edwin,
Try using some acetone [linked by editor to product info at Rockler] to strip the remaining lacquer off of your piece. If that doesn't work, it's because the coating was baked on, you'll need to get a stripper with methylene chloride in it. These are both dangerous chemicals, you must use them in an area with ventilation, and you need a respirator. I strongly advise you to find more information about methylene chloride before using it, this may be a carcinogen. Once you get it all stripped off, continue polishing with Brasso
, then clean with acetone to remove the compound off the piece, clear coat and you are done. If you don't want to go through this trouble, try a polishing shop in your area.
Good Luck
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Jake Koch G. J. Nikolas & Co., Inc.  Bellwood, Illinois |
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May 10, 2012
Q. I found what I believe is a hand-made spittoon. I cleaned it then put lacquer on it, now want to take
it off.
Thank You
- Hubbardsville, New York, U.S.A.
A. Hi Brenda.
If you put actual brass lacquer on it, it should be readily removable with acetone as suggested by Jake. Good luck.
Regards,
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 Ted Mooney, P.E. RET finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |
