How to Paint Brass Fireplace Tools
At one time, brass was the number one choice of finishes for home accessories. Chandeliers, candlesticks, fireplace tools, and anything else you can imagine were finished in brass. In recent years brass has become outdated. So what should you do with all of those great brass pieces you have in your house that you no longer love? Updating them is a simple project with a few coats of the right primer and spray paint. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Ammonia
- Water
- Low tack tape
- Newspaper
- Sand paper
- Spray primer
- Paint
- Spray polyurethane
Instructions
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1
Thoroughly clean your brass fireplace tools with equal parts ammonia and water. Use a toothbrush to get into the deeper grooves and crevices. A clean surface will translate into a much better bond between the brass and the primer, resulting in a much better final product.
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2
Sand the brass surface with fine grit sand paper. Slick surfaces take paint better if you create a little texture by sanding before applying the primer and paint.
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3
Wipe off any sanding dust with a damp rag.
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Spray on primer. Choose a primer that is formulated for slick surfaces. Rustoleum and Krylon both make products that work well for this application. Spray on the primer in a slow , even stroke. Slightly overlap each pass of the spray to fully coat the fireplace tool. Allow the primer to dry completely.
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Paint the brass in your choice of paint. Once the fireplace tools are well primed you can choose almost any type of paint. Spray paint is the easiest to apply and will give you the best finished product. Spray paints come in a huge variety of colors and finishes, including an iron finish that imitates the look of wrought iron. Allow paint to dry completely. Apply a second coat if needed.
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Spray on a clear coat of polyurethane to protect the formerly brass fireplace tools from wear and tear. Fireplace tools are regularly handled so adding the extra layer of protection is a good idea to avoid scratches and peeling. Allow the polyurethane coat to cure for 24 hours before handling the tools.
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Tips & Warnings
If you can find a picture of a finish that you like you can probably imitate it with paint. Once the surface of your home accessory is primed, you can glaze, faux paint or spray paint your item to match almost any surface. Get creative. If you don't like the results, simply spray the item with primer again and start over.
