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-----How to get an antique finish on polished brass
I am an interior designer. I have specified a brass foot rail for a kitchen bar, but the finish is brass. I need a burnished or antique finish. What can I do?
Martha Dust- North Little Rock, Arkansas
2005
You should certainly try very hard to buy it in the finish you actually want, so we'll assume you did try that. The second option, if it's a high end piece, is to send it out to a plating shop; they will be familiar with all aspects of the issue. Brass darkening/antiquing requires the combination of artistic talent plus willingness to work with noxious stuff. But, in general, first you remove the lacquer (hopefully it's not a new high tech clearcoat finish but something that can be stripped in lacquer thinner ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] Flammable! ). Then you darken it with liver of sulfur ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] or brass darkening solution ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] . Then you relieve the highlights by buffing away some of the darkening on the prominences. Then you either leave it or lacquer it again. Good luck.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
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2005
Martha..don't despair! Our company has a excellent and simple to use product to give you the results your seeking..Please phone me and/or see out website. We specialize in patinas and metal finishes. Thanks, Barry Feinman, CEO
Barry Feinman - Chief Restoration Officer
BarrysRestoreItAll
Carlsbad, California
2005
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Ted Mooney is retiring but I have several offers to take it over.
We're working hard to make sure we find it the best new home.