How to Polish Brass Door Hardware

Polish brass hardware properly so that it remains shiny.

Brass hardware adds elegance to doors. The hardware often consists of the knobs, hinges and handles. If you care for the hardware properly, it will remain in good condition. The metal resists rust, but tarnish often builds on the metal and makes it appear dull. Cleaning the brass hardware helps to remove fingerprints and residue, and then polishing the brass restore its shine.

Things You'll Need

• Masking tape
• Ammonia
• Gloves
• Soft cloth
• Clear lacquer
• White vinegar
• Table salt
• Bowl
• All-purpose flour
• Sponge
• Damp washcloth
• Towel

Instructions

Commercial Brass Polish

1. Mask the hardware with tape or remove it from the door. Remove the hardware if it appears badly tarnished. Masking the hardware protects the wood from the commercial brass polish.

2. Soak badly tarnished hardware in undiluted ammonia before you polish it. This will remove the tarnish so that you can effectively restore the shine.

3. Wear gloves to protect your skin. Apply a commercial brass cleaner to a soft cloth.

4. Rub the polish onto the hardware. Continue rubbing the polish until you remove the tarnish.

5. Spray on a light coating of clear lacquer, if you desire. This will help protect the brass from tarnish in the future.

6. Replace any hardware that you removed from the doors. Remove the masking tape from the door as well.

Homemade Brass Polish

1. Combine 1 cup of vinegar with 1 tbsp. of salt in a bowl. Add flour slowly and stir the ingredients until a paste forms.

2. Soak a sponge in the solution. Apply the solution to the brass. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes.

3. Rinse the solution off the hardware with a damp washcloth.

4. Dry the brass hardware with a towel. Buff it dry to restore the shine.

Tips & Warnings

• Restore the shine more quickly by using a buffing wheel that attaches to an electric drill after you apply the brass cleaner.

• Avoid applying a homemade brass cleaner to the hardware if it has a lacquer finish because it will remove the lacquer. Lacquered brass only needs to be wiped down with a soft and damp cloth.

• Avoid scrubbing brass with an abrasive because it will scratch the surface.

References

• "Good Housekeeping": How to Polish Brass
• "Good Housekeeping": Cleaning Solid Brass
• Don Vandervort's Home Tips: How to Clean Tarnished Brass Door Hardware
• Ask the Builder: Cleaning Brass the Professional Way