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-----Restoring old hardware
Q. I am redoing some 100 year old doors and am wondering how to restore the old hardware. Looks like it may be copper or at least have some thin copper layer. What is my best options for this?
Bethany Thomas- Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
2002
A. Copper is the color of a penny. It would surprise me to find it used on hinges because it is an expensive and a soft metal. Maybe you mean brass (copper-zinc alloy) or bronze (copper-tin alloy)? Test the hinges with a magnet; they are steel if the magnet is attracted, and probably brass or bronze or diecast zinc if not. Knowing what you have is a good first step in determining what to do. Good luck.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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Q. I have thick copper hinges in my house too, which is in Fremont, NE. Very rare, I've been told. If you find out how to repair these, I'd be interested in knowing!
Thanks
- Fremont, Nebraska, USA
2004
A. I also have copper, not brass hardware in my home, although I do not know if they are solid or dipped. I cleaned them by removing them and using 1 tablespoon of kitchen salt and 1 cup of vinegar ⇦ in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil link] . Mix them together and dip the hinges in or paint it on and let it sit for about 1 minute, then I used a very fine #0000 steel wool ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] to start them off and afterwards a toothbrush. They look great!
Teresa Roper- Limercik, Saskatchewan, Canada
January 15, 2013
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