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Removing paint from an old brass fire extinguisher

I have recently been given an old brass fire extinguisher which although dirty is in good condition. However there is an area about 6" by 2" which has paint on it - looks like a paint brush has slipped and touched it.

How can I remove the paint but not the writing underneath which I guess is enamel.

John James
Hobbyist - Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
2006

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John, you are asking what solvent will remove some paint of unknown type without risk of removing another paint of unknown type -- unfortunately that question is unanswerable. All you can do is rub it with a solvent like turpentine ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] and hope for the best, acknowledging that you may have to repaint the engraved area. Best of luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
(Ted can offer longterm or instant help)
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2006

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2006

Hi Ted

Thanks for your advice - it was just the push I needed. I have spent the last hour gently rubbing the affected area with a soft cloth and some turpentine ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] and all the paint has come off the fire extinguisher without affecting the bottom layer at all. A few minutes with a toothbrush and all the old paint is out of the engraved lettering, etc. All I need to do now is to polish the very tarnished brass but a little go with some Brasso ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] shows it can be done. Off to the shop tomorrow to buy a large bottle of vinegar ⇦in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil link] .

Once again thanks for your advice and for a wonderful site.

Cheers,

John James
- Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Mr. James, I have a paint on brass problem too. I have acquired two Pyrene Soda Acid brass fire extinguishers. One is original brass, and has and can be shined, however the other one has been painted in some fashion with a brass colored non gloss paint. The lettering have been done in blue. I have tried brasso with a buffing wheel, then paint remover which had no effect at all. Any suggestions

Marc Stuckman
hobbyist - Cascade, Colorado
August 6, 2009

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August 15, 2009

Hi, Marc. There are paint removers that are based on relatively mild solvents like mineral spirits ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] or turpentine, and then there are very aggressive and very noxious paint removers like methylene chloride, called Aircraft Stripper. I can't guarantee this will remove the paint, but it will remove a lot of paints that things like turpentine won't touch. Be careful with it, and do it outside with very good ventilation, wearing rubber gloves ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] and goggles ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] .

Good luck!

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
(Ted can offer longterm or instant help)
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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