Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Wanting to restore brass plated vanity set

My daughter was given a brass plated vanity by a friend. This vanity has been in storage for some time due to a break up in the family and has started to rust in some places and in others the finish is worn. She really wants to use the vanity and I would like to restore it as best as I can. Can I refinish it myself and if so, how? Or is this something that is best left up to a professional and if so, is it expensive to have something re-plated? I'd be afraid that the cost to have it done professionally would be more than buying a new vanity set!?

Thank you for your help!

Lori Hawks
Homeowner - Glen Allen, VA, United States
2004

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Brass plating can only be applied by electroplating, usually from a very toxic cyanide solution. There is a lot to it and it is beyond what a homeowner or hobbyist can do. You can probably buy a brass colored paint from one of the 'decorator collections' that Rustoleum and Krylon offer, but I can't say whether paint will really satisfy you.

You are right that replating is usually expensive, the reason being that it is very labor intensive to do one of an item at a time when the OEM was plating hundreds at a time. On the other hand, you would probably agree with me that most older manufactured items are far more substantial and durable than today's replacements. If I were you I might go shopping for a new one, and see if the weight and quality is comparable to the inherited one. If so, buy the new one. If not, price the replating and you may end up spending a little bit less to restore a high quality item than to replace an heirloom quality item with a piece of junk.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2004

Thank you Mr. Mooney for your prompt and thorough response. I had thought of the 'spray can' option, but have not looked to see what available in the retail market. I hate to 'toss' the vanity set because my daughter really likes it and a good friend gave it to her. Before I ventured out to see what I could find, I wanted to check with experts like yourself to see what options were out there that I was not aware of. Again, thank you for your input and I guess my step is to do some shopping! God Bless you and enjoy that Jersey shore!

Lori Hawks
- Glen Allen, VA, United States
2004