Drawing On Brass

Liven up brass fixtures by adding drawings to them.

Brass is a strong metal alloy. As a mix of copper and zinc, it is an affordable metal that is often incorporated into cabinets and other pieces of furniture as door or drawer handles. When polished, brass takes on a sleek, shiny appearance. You may want to change the look of a piece of furniture by drawing a decoration onto the brass itself. If so, primer paints specially formatted for use on metal and a clear coat sealant will help the paint stick to the brass and preserve your drawing.

Things You'll Need

• Steel wool cloth
• Cotton cloth
• Ventilation mask
• Self-etching primer paint
• Acrylic paint
• Small paintbrushes
• Clear sealant

Instructions

1. Rub the surface of the brass you want to draw on with a piece of steel wool. Understand that the wool will create small scratches in the brass that the paint must cling to; your drawing will not show up if the paint is unable to cling to the brass surface.

2. Wipe the surface of the brass with a clean cotton cloth. While wearing a ventilation mask and working in a well-ventilated area, spray the brass surface which you are going to paint with a self-etching primer. Hold the can about 4 inches from the brass surface and coat it with the primer. Let the primer dry completely for about six hours.

3. Draw flowers, letters or a design of your choosing onto the primed brass surface with acrylic paints and a small paintbrush. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly.

4. Spray a clear sealant on top of the brass surface to protect the painted drawing you just added to the brass. Let the clear coat dry overnight. Add a second coat of sealant to the brass. Let that coat dry for 12 hours before installing the brass hardware back onto your furniture.

References

• Copper Development Association: Brass

Resources

• Amazon: Self-Etching Primer
• Finishing: Painting Brass Hardware
• Finishing: FAQ - Patinas on Copper, Brass and Bronze