Summary for remove lacquer from brass Discussion
Removing lacquer finish from brass hardware was the central issue, with Richard Halloran asking how to strip the clear coating from new exterior door hardware after Klean Strip failed to work. Ted Mooney replied that a lacquer finish needs a lacquer-type solvent, suggesting aromatic hydrocarbons or polar solvents such as acetone, while warning that the product may also remove lower-grade finishes and that stripping brass can leave the base metal exposed and require constant polishing. In a later follow-up, Paul Arsenault asked whether the heated degreasing chemical he remembered from Pratt & Whitney was the same kind of solvent; Ted said he should not guess the exact chemical, but pointed him toward aircraft stripper information. The thread’s practical takeaway is that stronger lacquer solvents may work, but removing the coating from brass can create more maintenance than it solves.
Q. I am trying to remove the clear lacquer finish from new exterior door hardware for 5 sets of Marvin doors. I tried applying Klean Strip for 15 to 30 minutes, per manufacturers directions, but no success. Any suggestions?
Richard Halloran
– Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, USA
2003
A. Richard,
A lacquer finish needs a lacquer type SOLVENT … and your Clean Strip, which I’m not familiar with, might well remove lower grade finishes such as enamel and latex.
So go and get some aromatic hydrocarbons or some polar solvents such as acetone
⇦ on
eBay
or
… and try that.
But why in the hell are you trying to remove that finish? If you succeed, you’ll have to polish it and polish it until the base metal eventually appears. Yuck.
Freeman Newton [deceased] (It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).
2003
Q. I am new to clock repair and have been attempting to find an easy way remove the factory applied lacquer finish to the brass on anniversary clocks. I have tried soaking the parts in acetone, coating with paint stripper with no results. I know that buffing with a good compound with work, but very time consuming and generates a lot of heat. As a point of interest for final finish and protection after buffing I use a product called Flitz ⇦[this on
eBay or
Amazon affil links]
..absolutely amazing. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated…Thanks…Paul A.
Paul Arsenault
hobbyist in clock repair – Glen Brunie, Maryland, USA
2006
A. Although you are calling it lacquer — perhaps for lack of a better word — it’s not lacquer if
lacquer thinner
⇦ on
or
[affil link] Flammable!doesn’t remove it. Methylene chloride based
“Aircraft Stripper” should remove just about whatever it is, but it’s very nasty stuff!
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
2007
Q. Thanks for the info. If my memory serves me correctly, while working at Pratt Whitney aircraft back in the 60’s we used a product to degrease parts that was heated in huge subfloor vats and smelled like acetone. Is this the chemical you are referring to? Thanks..Paul A.
Paul Arsenault
– Glen Burnie, Maryland, USA
2007
A. Hi again. I probably shouldn’t try to guess what chemical Pratt & Whitney used to degrease parts, so I added an Amazon link for the aircraft stripper which you can study further if you wish. Good luck
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.