Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Undo my polishing on antique brass hardware

 

I made a big mistake. I have an antique armoir that has ornate brass hardware. I just wanted to brighten the brass a bit and overdid it. Now I want to take it back to the old oxidized look - dark brown. Any ideas? thanks

Dorothy Gunn
- Lakewood, Ohio, USA

I am an antique restorer and this is not uncommon. I fume bright polished brass ware in a sealed plastic container on a wire rack over 1 part ammonia [on eBay or Amazon] 880 - 5 parts water, the fumes will darken the brass till the required color is reached, this process is not for the beginner and obviously the brasses have to be removed from the furniture.

Another process is to purchase some liberon tourmaline used on brass/bronze or haematite for steel/iron, these can be thinned with water if necessary and if you are not to remove the hardware from the furniture take care not to get it on the French polish as it can strip the surface, dabb on the chemical and leave to evaporate till the desired color is achieved, highlights can be obtained with a light buff of Brasso [on eBay or Amazon] on a rag or 0000 #0000 steel wool [on eBay or Amazon]. Finish the surface with furniture wax and a buff. See how you go.

Rob Snook
- Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
 

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Dear Readers,

I have recently inherited a Korean chest that is bright yellow lacquered wood... and of course bright shiny brass hardware.

Could anyone recommend a product/chemical/process that I could apply to the brass with out harming the body of the hutch cabinet that would alter this bright shine to a dull, weathered, distressed, dull black look?

PS, I am not a metal pro, please put in laymens terms

thanks!

Nicole Marie
NMC Design - Boulder, Colorado, USA