Tarnished Brass Front Door Handle

Tarnished and dingy hardware on your front door detracts from the curb appeal of your home.

Tarnished brass front door handle.

Brass brings a warm burnished glow to household items everything from switch plates and door knockers to bathroom fixtures furniture and even kitchen utensils. Once you have removed excess dirt and grime from your hardware you re ready to disinfect it. To determine whether your handles are brass plated or solid brass hold a magnet near the handle. On a newspaper covered surface brush the handles and plates with lacquer remover.

Don t forget to also remove the latch. After the coating is loosened use grade 0000 steel wool to remove the coating and to polish the brass. It adds an elegant touch to any home s decor. Lacquered brass can be damaged easily by rings and keys and these little cuts in the lacquer will allow the air to tarnish the metal underneath over time.

Brass and copper are two traditional door handle and hinge materials that are seeing a resurgence in popularity in modern homes. Guide to brass refinishing. Be sure to refer to the product s manual for more information. Some contain harsh or abrasive chemicals that will damage the finish of your hardware.

Cleaning polishing and restoring brass door knobs can add sparkle and a touch of class to a home. Constant polishing is frustrating. The best way to clean lacquered polished brass is to remove surface dust with a soft cloth and then use a mild solution of soapy warm water to clean sticky or dirty. Here is a before and after picture of my brass door handles.

Brass door handles can become dull and tarnished but you can reverse that process with vinegar or lemon juice. Disinfect your door hardware. Think before you buy. Not all door handles are created equally.

If you plan to only replace the door handle itself your old door handle will indicate what kind you need to purchase so bring it with. Screws will be located on the front of the door handle or hidden on the side of the door with the latch. If the magnet sticks to the handle it is brass plated rather than solid brass. Pay special attention to the disinfectants ingredients.

Brass handles come in two varieties. Remove the hardware from the door so the finish of the door will not be affected. Considerations before cleaning brass copper door knobs and hardware. While they are susceptible to tarnishing they can easily be cleaned with a few household products and a bit of elbow grease.

It is also a popular choice for cookware and home fixtures. Brass plated metals are composed of zinc cast iron or steel with a coat of brass plate over them. This durable metal doesn t rust and has acoustic properties making it a good choice for musical instruments. I refinished door knocker letter slot cover and door lock handle assembly see attached picture.

The brass refinishing process is relatively easy.