How can I safely remove old varnish from my antique brass hardware without causing damage?
Asked by Emy Lecomte 
2 months ago
Last Updated: July 26, 2024
Ten years ago, I purchased a bedroom set for our vacation house that was said to be quite old, possibly 80 years or more. We’ve been busy fixing up a lot of things since then. Lately, I’ve been admiring the ornate handles on our dark, massive furniture, thinking how great they would look if they were shiny! So, I decided to take one of them (there are 16 in total) and give it a good clean. It seems like over the years, someone may have varnished the hardware. How can I remove this old varnish without causing any damage to the metal, which I believe is brass?
Just pop it in a crockpot with some water and leave it on low for 8 to 12 hours.
Is going to give it a try.
Suggests using a crock pot that will not be used for cooking again with this method, or you can find one at a thrift store. There may be lead or other chemicals that you are trying to avoid consuming.
Crock pot. Haha.
I suggest trying the crackpot first… but Miniwax varnish remover works well. Just terrible to breathe in.
You can check if it has a clear lacquer coating by using a little acetone on a cotton swab in a small area. If it’s coated, you can clean it with a terry rag and acetone. Good ventilation (a fan maybe) is necessary. Then, polish with Brasso. If there is a lot of relief, you may choose not to clean all the nooks and crannies. The patina in the shadows can add a nice touch. Wash thoroughly with dishwashing detergent and an old toothbrush, then rinse well. Polish with a very soft cloth. If you wish to maintain the level of polish, you can spray with clear lacquer for two light coats.
Good quality metal can withstand any varnish remover you throw at it.
If xylene doesn’t do the trick, I don’t know what will.