DIY
bySelf Sagacityat4:44 PM
My latest project was the buffet chest, or some would call it a dresser. I think it is versatile enough for either purpose. We found it along the road FREE, and I insisted on adopting it. So SO and the kids helped me hauled it home about two years ago. I wanted to do something fantastic with it since it had this awesome hardware and curves. I have a lot of ideas in mind - always do, you know that. The photos are from the results of my experimenting with the homemade paste for removing tarnish.
I like the hardware brighter now, they go well with how my cabinet turned out. This is the type of hardware you can use on any type of doors, as such, Absolute doors have great products for garage doors, in South Africa. (I haven't posted the pictures of the cabinet, buffet, dresser yet. I am slow on uploading.) Before the hardware was cleaned, you couldn't see much of the details, but now, they look like gems to me. Don't you think so? It always amazes me how beautiful things are when they are taken care of. TLC, that was all it took.
1: Miss T modeling how she removed the hinges. 2: Hardware Cleaning Recipe Brass or Metal
3 & 4: Before and after of how thehardwarelooked.
.jpg "Hardware Cleaning Recipe Brass or Metal (6)")
5 & 6: Before and after of how the handles and hinges cleaned up. Pretty drastic looking.
Hardware Cleaning Recipe for Brass or Metal:
1. Mix 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup vinegar, and 1 tsp. salt in a small bowl.
2. Stir until a consistent paste develops.
3. Dip a cleaning rag in the paste mixture, and wipe a thin layer over the tarnished.
Note from experience:Instead of dipping a rag hauling the paste out and polishing the hardware, I dropped all the hardware in the jar Hardware Cleaning Recipe for Brass or Metal and went to bed. The next day I took the hardware out, rinsed and wiped off the paste, and the hardware looked magnificent.
Here are Self Sagacity's Thursday Two Questions #130
1) Did you ever remove tarnish or try to clean any hardware before?
2) Do you have a special formula or technique that you could share?
21Comments
Joanne OlivieriMarch 20, 2013 at 5:11 PM
Amanda, that is so good to know. Great cleaning recipe.
I have only polished some silver and brass in the past but always used a store bought product.
UnknownMarch 20, 2013 at 6:24 PM
I love your homemade remedy. I have switched out hardware on furniture before and loved the new look. It gives it such an awesome new look. I love natural looking wood grains so sometimes I only add some polyurethane. I love the shine, plus the way it makes the furniture more durable and easier to wash.
UnknownMarch 20, 2013 at 6:25 PM
I have usually used barkeeper's friend, but will have to try your mixture.
JimMarch 20, 2013 at 7:49 PM
1) Did you ever remove tarnish or try to clean any hardware before?
Every day I had to clean and polish my brass belt buckle when I was in basic trainings (two) for twelve weeks. Lacquering them was against the rules.2) Do you have a special formula or technique that you could share?
Brasso, sold in the PX.3) Did you ever rescue any furniture from along the roadside?
I rescued a three legged couch for my apartment when I was in another life. Putting a paint bucket under the left rear corner kept it from tilting.
Right now the printer stand for my computer is an abandoned beside night stand. I painted it brown and removed the doors and added a shelf so as to have an open shelving at the bottom for extra paper, books, program disks, etc.Nice write up and nice two questions. I hope you mind me having a bonus # 3 question.
..Self SagacityMarch 22, 2013 at 11:17 AM
What is Brasso and sold in the PX? Where is PX?
As for your third volunteered question, that was awesome! Man, why couldn't I have thought of that? Sounds like you were very good at revamping furniture. I like people who are creative as well.
SquirrelQueenMarch 21, 2013 at 12:22 AM
There are some pieces of brass that are antique and those I don't clean to preserve the patina. I have cleaned my kitchen and bathroom hardware.
There is a product I like called Mothers. It is actually used for the metal on autos but I like it for household hardware as well.
Self SagacityMarch 22, 2013 at 11:20 AM
Thanks Judy! I should look for Mothers one of these days. I don't really like the mess this paste makes, but that is the reason it adheres to the pieces.
True that some pieces are meant to be tarnished and not cleaned. Another point that SO made to me that it could be that is the way it is supposed to be?
Colette SMarch 21, 2013 at 6:36 AM
I haven't done anything like this before. Painting yes, but brass cleaning, no.
However I might so it would be nice to remember this information.
I can't wait to see the finish!
Happy Thursday Amanda!
Theresa MahoneyMarch 21, 2013 at 9:18 AM
You cleaned those up really nice! Thanks for sharing the recipe. I'll have to save it for the next time I take on a project like this!
Ménage LilleMarch 21, 2013 at 3:38 PM
Powerfull hardware cleaning recipe for brass & Metal! I know what I have to do this week-end.
ArtiMarch 23, 2013 at 7:26 AM
I have never cleaned them! This seems all so novel to me. Thanks for sharing Amanda :)
Stampin' VMG206March 28, 2013 at 10:47 AM
Great post! I'm going to pin this and try on a piece I'm getting ready to work on.
I'm visiting today from Crafty Blog Stalker. I hope you can stop by my blog and leave a comment, too!
~ Megin of VMG206
www.vmg206.blogspot.comStampin' VMG206March 28, 2013 at 10:50 AM
And... where did you find the darling Pin It button with the heart?
~ Megin of VMG206AnnApril 15, 2013 at 6:41 PM
Thanks--I am going to have to try this on my hardware. It is old and needs it!
Beck Valley BooksApril 16, 2013 at 1:56 AM
What a difference, I love reading all your hints and tips. Going to pin the post so I can refer back x
Have a thought? Please leave a comment here, and I will return as soon as possible. Thanks - If you have a minute, why not check-out the sibbling of Self Sagacity.com Blogger Broadcast. Extra Links = Spam = Delete.
