Tarnished Brass Front Door Handle

Not all door handles are created equally.

Tarnished brass front door handle.

Disinfect your door hardware. The best way to clean lacquered polished brass is to remove surface dust with a soft cloth and then use a mild solution of soapy warm water to clean sticky or dirty. Be sure to refer to the product s manual for more information. Think before you buy.

After the coating is loosened use grade 0000 steel wool to remove the coating and to polish the brass. It is also a popular choice for cookware and home fixtures. To determine whether your handles are brass plated or solid brass hold a magnet near the handle. It adds an elegant touch to any home s decor.

Some contain harsh or abrasive chemicals that will damage the finish of your hardware. Once you have removed excess dirt and grime from your hardware you re ready to disinfect it. Don t forget to also remove the latch. Brass door handles can become dull and tarnished but you can reverse that process with vinegar or lemon juice.

On a newspaper covered surface brush the handles and plates with lacquer remover. If you plan to only replace the door handle itself your old door handle will indicate what kind you need to purchase so bring it with. Remove the hardware from the door so the finish of the door will not be affected. Guide to brass refinishing.

The brass had not been polished for 15 years. Cleaning polishing and restoring brass door knobs can add sparkle and a touch of class to a home. This durable metal doesn t rust and has acoustic properties making it a good choice for musical instruments. While they are susceptible to tarnishing they can easily be cleaned with a few household products and a bit of elbow grease.

How you approach the project depends what kind of brass you have how badly tarnished or degraded it is and whether it is solid or plated. Lacquered brass can be damaged easily by rings and keys and these little cuts in the lacquer will allow the air to tarnish the metal underneath over time. Brass handles come in two varieties. Tarnished and dingy hardware on your front door detracts from the curb appeal of your home.

Brass brings a warm burnished glow to household items everything from switch plates and door knockers to bathroom fixtures furniture and even kitchen utensils. If the magnet sticks to the handle it is brass plated rather than solid brass. Here is a before and after picture of my brass door handles. Brass plated metals are composed of zinc cast iron or steel with a coat of brass plate over them.

Constant polishing is frustrating. Considerations before cleaning brass copper door knobs and hardware. I refinished door knocker letter slot cover and door lock handle assembly see attached picture. Brass and copper are two traditional door handle and hinge materials that are seeing a resurgence in popularity in modern homes.

The brass refinishing process is relatively easy.