Summary for antique brass chandelier Discussion
Antique brass chandelier is the main question here: several readers asked whether a polished brass chandelier could be antiqued, painted, or otherwise aged to better fit rustic or French country decor. Belinda Knull asked if it could be done and where to find instructions. Goran Budija replied with a chemical browning formula for brass, but cautioned that it works only on well-degreased, oxide-free brass and at about 90 °C, and pointed to Hughes & Rowe’s *The Colouring, Bronzing & Patination of Metals* for more methods. Later readers Carla Johnson, Dima Kassis, and Deb McDonnell asked for less heavy, more decorative ways to update brass fixtures. The thread also mentions Rub ’n Buff as a product option for a softer aged look, though no detailed step-by-step process is given in the excerpt.
Q. I have a polished brass chandelier that I would like to antique or paint. Can I do either? If so, where can I find instructions?
Belinda Knull
– San Antonio, Texas
2003
A. Brown colour for brass:
12 gm. copper sulphate
15 gm. potassium permanganate
⇦ on
eBay or
Amazon [affil link]
1 lit. water
Only well degreased and oxide free works can be coloured! Working temperature 90 °C !
Goran Budija
– Cerovski vrh Croatia
2003
“The Colouring, Bronzing & Patination of Metals”
by Hughes & Rowe
on Amazon
or
or
(affil link)
Q. I have a brass chandelier that I would like to paint, rub or glaze to give it a more rustic and up-to-date look. I don’t want to really change the color by applying a heavy paint, but instead just want to “age” it. Is there any product or technique that I can use to obtain this look?
Thanks,
Carla Johnson
Consumer – Birmingham, Alabama
2006
Q. Hi,
I have a lot of brass chandelier in my house and I’d like to change their look into antique — is that doable? I’d like to know how I can do it instead of buying new ones.
thanks
Dima
dima Kassis
hobbyist – Michigan, USA
2007
Q. I also would like to update my brass fixtures in my dining room and I am looking to fit them into a french country decor. No heavy painting, would love some ideas.
Deb McDonnell
– Allentown, Pennsylvania
January 26, 2009
January 27, 2009
A. Hi, folks. There are many different approaches, but the cheapest and easiest way to turn brass a darker and more antique shade, while not making it look like paint, may be with a “wax rub” (Rub n Buff
⇦ on
eBay or
Amazon [affil link]
).
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.