Summary for patina on a lacquered brass bed Discussion
patina on a lacquered brass bed is discussed as a practical finishing problem with two different goals: one user wants to remove lacquer and create an antique, unpolished look, while another wants a rusty appearance without moving a heavy bed or dipping it. The thread does not give a full lacquer-removal method, but it does show that the finish can be altered in place. Mike Jacobs says he had success darkening a brass bed with glacial acetic acid diluted 5:1 with water, applied carefully with a toothbrush and wiped off with a rag; he warns to test a hidden area first and notes the chemical is caustic, so gloves are advisable. The result he describes is a much darker, almost blackened surface rather than a bright polish. The discussion suggests that for large beds, spot testing and hand application may be more practical than immersion or moving the piece.
Q. I am trying to achieve an antique patina look on a queen size brass bed that has a coating of lacquer. First, how do I remove the lacquer? Next, how do I get the patina. I don’t want the green finish, I want the old unpolished look.
Thank you!
Jan M [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
– Midland, Texas
2003
Vintage Brass Beds & Parts on eBay [affil link]
A. Assuming the bed is an older one and it actually is lacquer, it is removed with
lacquer thinner
⇦ on
or
[affil link] Flammable!, Jan. After that, just a little patience will dull it to that warm brown color of brass.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
Q. I have an antique french brass bed that I have been polishing for 35 years now and with age has come arthritis. It’s just too much work to polish. I would like to change the brass to a rusty look. It would have to be a technique that didn’t require dipping due to the size of the bed; nor moving it out of the bedroom (too heavy). Is there a paint available to acquire a rusty look or something as simple?
Any help you can be would be appreciated.
Jayne Chandler
Home owner – Jamesville, New York
2007
A. You don’t really have to do anything to achieve that, Jayne. Just stop polishing it; it will begin to tarnish quickly and will become yellow-brown with time. You can accelerate the process if you feel you need to by spritzing with vinegar
⇦ in bulk on
or
Amazon [affil link] and salt, or some people suggest toilet bowl cleaners.
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
“The Colouring, Bronzing & Patination of Metals”
by Hughes & Rowe
on Amazon
or
or
(affil link)
2007
A. I have been doing battle with a brass bed which over the years has become almost blackened. I tried
Brasso
⇦ on
or
Amazon [affil link] but gave up on that.
Finally, I came up with a chemical solution :
Glacial acetic acid
⇦ on
or
Amazon [affil link] diluted 5 : 1 with water. It is a highly caustic, corrosive substance and ideally should be applied with
rubber gloves
⇦ on
eBay or
Amazon [affil link] . The solution is so weak that this is really an option.
Apply with a toothbrush and rub a little. Wipe off with a clean rag pulling the rag around the vertical struts.
It really works wonders. Sample it on a hidden area to check its effectiveness before doing the whole bed.
Good luck.
Mike Jacobs
Michael Edward Jacobs
Retired – Cape Town, South Africa