How to Remove the Coating on Brass Fixtures

Many different types of fixtures are made with brass.

Brass fixtures often have a coating of lacquer to protect the brass from tarnishing and turning green. Commonly used to protect wooden surfaces, lacquer remains bright and shiny for a long time. However, if not polished regularly, lacquer becomes dull and starts to degrade. It can even start to peel off the brass surface. If this is the case, the best way to refurbish your old fixtures is to remove the coating so you can spray a fresh coat.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Water
• Pot
• Stove
• Rag
• Acetone
• Gloves

Instructions

1. Pour 1 tsp. of baking soda per qt. of water into a pot and bring the mixture to a boil.

2. Submerge the fixture in the boiling water. If the pot is not large enough to submerge the entire fixture, place half the fixture in at a time, then flip when necessary.

3. Remove the fixture from the boiling water after 15 minutes and wipe the coating off the fixture with a rag and hot water.

4. Wipe any remaining stubborn areas of lacquer with an acetone-moistened rag.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear thick rubber gloves to protect yourself from the hot metal surface of the fixture when you pull it out of the water.

References

• Dalmar: Polishing and Buffing
• Fante's: Copper & Brass Lacquer Removal