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world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


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Darkening brass cabinet hardware

I am want to replace old brass pulls on my kitchen cabinet to ones with a darker antique brass finish, but I do not want to replace the hinges. Is there a way to darken the hinges so that I do not have to replace them as well?

Robin Craig
hobbyist - Kennesaw, GA, USA
2004

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In another life I replated thousands of drawer pulls, hinges, door knobs and other assorted hardware. There is nothing you can do with them except to take them to a job shop in Atlanta that speciallizes in refinishing of items such as yours. It won't be cheap but at least you'll have the original hardware.

Daryl Spindler, CEF
decorative nickel-chrome plating - Greenbrier, Tennessee
2005

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I would not argue with the suggestion to utilize professional services for this, but some people do make a hobby of woodworking and furniture making, including the necessary patinas and darkening of the brass parts, so you might look at topic 33284 or consider a brass darkening solution [on eBay or Amazon] if the hinges are solid brass (if attracted by a magnet, they're not).

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2005

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I have about 80 solid brass smooth round 1" cabinet knobs in my kitchen and master bath. I am trying to remodel the kitchen to a more rustic, Tuscan look. The knobs are way to bright and shiny but too expensive to toss and replace. Do you have any suggestions for treatments that will make them more compatible with my design idea?

Thank you!

Anna Wing
Hobbyist - Cumming, GA, USA
2005

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As mentioned earlier in this thread, to which we've appended your inquiry, the best thing to do (although not inexpensive) is to send them to a plating shop. Feel free to post an RFQ for that service if you wish.

A second alternative is to try to paint them with a "rustic" paint available from manufacturers like Rustoleum and Krylon--but paint has limited ability to withstand wear in a heavy use application like a drawer pull, and on close inspection it will of course look like paint.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2005