The home is made of brass.Brass can lend a degree of simplicity and elegance to any room.Although brass is beautiful, many brass items are glazed with lacquer, creating a sheen and diminishing the true beauty of the material.There are ways to remove the lacquer without damaging the brass.Depending on the amount of lacquer, you can remove it by boiling brass in a special solution, using fire, or using a varnish remover.
Step 1: A solution of water and baking soda is needed.
Combine your ingredients in a saucepan or pot large enough to hold your brass item.You can dip the brass halfway into the pot if you don't have a large pot.
Step 2: Bring the solution to a boil.
Bring your mixture to a boil by placing it over heat.The baking soda should have dissolved by this point.Stir the solution several times as it warms.
Step 3: The brass should be inserted into the solution.
Taking care to keep your own hands and fingers clear of the water, place your brass into the boiling water.If your brass item is large, place as much of it in the mixture as possible, then repeat the steps on the other side.To minimize the risk of burns, lower your brass into the boiling solution carefully.
Step 4: The water should be boiled for 15 minutes.
Once the 15 minutes are up, leave your brass to boil in this solution and remove it from the heat.You can either allow the brass to cool in the mixture or remove it with tongs.You can cool it down if you remove it from the heat.
Step 5: Remove the lacquer from the brass.
After the brass has cooled, you can wipe or peel away any remaining lacquer.If you don't have enough to strip your brass of its lacquer, you can keep repeating these steps until you get all of it out.
Step 6: The container should be placed on a non-combustible surface.
You will need a container that can hold high temperatures without melting or shattering.If you use glass, make sure it is strong.If you use metal, be aware that it may tarnish.
Step 7: Protect your face with gloves and a mask.
Put a face mask over your nose and mouth and make sure you are in a well-ventilated area.If you want to avoid singeing your eyebrows or lashes, you should put protective eyewear on your eyes.
Step 8: The acetone and metal polish should be put into the container.
Make sure the mixture does not exceed a quarter of an inch by pouring equal amounts of acetone and metal polish into a non-flammable container.You will need a larger container if it reaches higher.If you want the fire to burn away the lacquer, coat your brass item with it.
Step 9: Light the brass with a long-necked lighter when you put your item into the bowl.
Set light to the solution using a long-necked lighter or long matchstick as far from the container as possible.If the mixture is too close to your skin, it will expose you to too much heat and cause burns.Matchstick and cigarette lighters require you to be close to the solution in order to use them.
Step 10: After a few minutes of a controlled burn, douse the flames.
After a few minutes, the solution should burn itself out.Douse the flames with an extinguisher or place a large lid over the pot if it doesn't.The risk of damaging your brass is higher if you stay longer than 5 minutes.
Step 11: The brass should be run under the water.
Remove your brass pieces from the bowl with tongs and run them under room temperature water to cool the metal and remove the lacquer.You run the risk of warping and staining if you use cool water.The metal won't be damaged by room temperature water.
Step 12: Remove the lacquer.
If lacquer doesn't wash away in the rinse, wipe it away with a clean cloth or cotton swabs.While running the item under water, a dry piece of brass may not be able to release its lacquer easily.
Step 13: Go to aventilated area.
There is a strong chemical odor that can be harmful if breathed in.Move to an area with a fan, a window or both.If you don't have a well-ventilated room, you can take your project outside.Do not use solvent indoors whenever possible.
Step 14: Beneath the brass is a protective layer.
To protect the surface you are working on, place a protective layer beneath brass, such as a sheet of newspapers, a tablecloth, or a strip of plastic.Paint dropcloths are usually thick and resistant to the caustic nature of varnish removers.
Step 15: Gloves and face gear are required.
You will need to keep your hands, lungs, and face protected.Place a face mask over your mouth and nose to minimize the amount of fumes you inhale, and wear gloves to prevent the solution from reaching your skin.If you don't have access to an outdoor space or well-ventilated area, covering your mouth and nose is important.
Step 16: You don't have to worry about ruining the paintbrush.
Simply place a paintbrush in the lacquer remover and apply it to the brass.Make sure that you don't leave any of the brush's bristles behind, as these may interfere with the efficacy.
Step 17: The varnish remover should be applied using long, sweeping strokes.
To make sure you don't miss any spots, coat the entire piece in a generous layer of remover.If your brass piece has a lot of small nooks and crevices, you can use a bottle brush or small rag.
Step 18: Wait for the time allotted by the removal brand.
Make sure you follow the directions on your brand of lacquer remover, because different brands have different wait times.The brass may be damaged if you use the remover for longer than is recommended.Only use the recommended amount of the remover.
Step 19: The remover and varnish should be wiped away.
The removal solution should be wiped away following the directions.This should show the unfinished brass beneath the lacquer.If the varnish removal doesn't remove all of the lacquer, repeat as many times as necessary.To reach hard-to-reach spots, you may want to use a second brush.