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Achieving patina on a lacquered brass bed




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



2006

A. Assuming the bed is an older one and it actually is lacquer, it is removed with lacquer thinner [on eBay or Amazon], Jan. After that, just a little patience will dull it to that warm brown color of brass.

Ted Mooney, finishing.com
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey




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 eBay or Amazon] and salt, or some people suggest toilet bowl cleaners.

Ted Mooney, finishing.com
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007



"The Colouring, Bronzing & Patination of Metals"
by Hughes & Rowe

on AbeBooks

or eBay or

Amazon

(affil links)

2007

A. I have been doing battle with a brass bed which over the years has become almost blackened. I tried Brasso [on eBay or Amazon] but gave up on that.
Finally, I came up with a chemical solution :

Glacial acetic acid [on eBay or Amazon] diluted 5 : 1 with water. It is a highly caustic, corrosive substance and ideally should be applied with rubber gloves [on eBay or Amazon]. 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




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