How can I polish a badly tarnished brass kickplate for my front door? Chemicals haven't worked. Would a buffer help? The plate is solid brass, and I'd like to return as much of the shine as possible.
What do manufacturers use for a high-shine finish on solid brass?
Brasso, then several layers of thick, clear laquer coat?
I've had a lot of success with plain ol' vinegar, flour and salt mixed into a paste. Lemon juice works in place of vinegar, too. Wipe it on, let it sit for a while, wash off with water and then polish with something like Brasso.
Enlisted men.
*Rouge and then a lacquer coat.
Brass-O works pretty good. Do a tiny trial area. AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. If it is SOLID brass, you should be good to go. If coated, all bets are off.
Steve
:)
Use Brasso and the finest steel wool you can find. I read of that technique in researching piano repair and used it on the hinges for the lid on the keyboard. Finished with glossy clear finish will hide the abrasion pattern if there is one. Brasso alone does a nice job and is available at hardware and some grocery stores. The kick plate probably has a factory finish, so paint remover first is probably in order.
And I forgot to mention: don't touch the brass with bare hands after it is polished so's you don't leave fingerprints that will tarnish.
I'm trying to drill a hole in the kick plate to add a door stop. I can't get a hole started... Broke drill bits/ used self tapping screw. What can I use????
If it's solid brass a good drill bit should cut through it like butter. Did you punch the center first?
nate
Are you and Dan talking about the cosmetic " rouge"?
" talcum-based "
Sounds like Sarah Palin's line of makeup.
Take the plate off the door. Use lacquer thinner to soften and remove the existing remains of lacquer. Polish with rouge and wheel or Brasso. Reapply multiple coats of lacquer to keep your efforts shiny for a few years.
You might have an easier time if you removed the plate and turned it over.
Perhaps the back side has less wear than the front?
Where do you find a polishing shop. Never seen them advertised in the Yellow Pages.
Right there next to the telephone sanitizers...
I'd say doing it a few thousand times teaches you a few secrets. Welding is like that. Good suggestion.
Steve
Ashton Crusher wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:
Nope. Original credit goes here:
omygosh wish I never read that,, No I got the drill in reverse and not putting any pressure on it.. JesusfrickinChrist.
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