How to Remove Paint From a Brass Plate
Brass plates can be a handsome adornment that will add a beautiful look to various areas of your home. Brass plates can be easily cleaned of paint and other materials using a few household items.
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Instructions
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Acquire a bucket or pan that is large enough to hold the brass plate and a significant amount of liquid. An ideal container would be made of plastic or ceramic. If you decide to use a pot or pan, remember that you should not use this container to cook or prepare food after cleaning the brass, as any metal residue can be hazardous to ingest.
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Place the brass plate into the container and pour in vinegar until the plate is completely covered. Sprinkle a layer of salt into the vinegar so that it covers the plate completely.
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Heat the mixture slowly on a stove if you are using a ceramic dish and the mixture alone does not seem to be effective. Heating will help to loosen the paint from the metal. Allow mixture to heat slowly for about ten to fifteen minutes. Remember not to heat plastic on a stove.
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Remove the brass plate from the mixture. If you heated the mixture, be sure to use tongs or hand protection, as the metal will be hot enough to burn your skin.
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Scrub away the paint with a soft cloth or soft-tipped brush. Do not use steel wool, as this may damage the surface of the metal.
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Tips & Warnings
Chemical paint strippers will also be effective in removing paint from brass surfaces. However, be sure to read all warnings and suggestions that come with the chemicals, as some can be corrosive or damaging to certain types of metal. Household ammonia and baking soda mixed with water can also be effective when cleaning brass. If one system does not work, keep trying until you find a mixture that works for you.
If the brass is lacquered, or covered with a protective coating, the lacquer may need to be removed before a thorough cleaning of the brass can commence. Soaking in hot water or applying alcohol or paint stripper will remove a lacquer covering on brass.
