New life for weathered brass fittings?

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Is there anyway I can apply a finish to give this door handle, lock barrel and letterbox a new life as I'm going to repaint the door and would like them to look better than they do. I'd be happy to replace them but they are unusual and I haven't found exact replacements.

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Any paint or other method I can use that will spruce them up and give a finish that will look good and will pass inspection from my better half, ie that doesn't look like it's been painted!
 
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they are probably brass that has been lacquered to prevent tarnish

take them off and remove the remaining lacquer with paint stripper

polish with duraglit or with metal polish (use a toothbrush for crevices)

polish clean with a soft cloth and remove all traces of polish with warm water and washing up liquid

polish again with your cloth

re-lacquer (if you warm them first it will flow better)

allow lacquer to harden fully before refixing

if you like polishing brass weekly, you can leave unlacquered
 
yes

you can also get it in hardware shops and DIY sheds

p.s. do the back first

then make a support so that the edges are not touching the table
 
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The best lacquer to use is the spray stuff you use on cars.
 
Thank you both very much for the tips, much appreciated. I tried a test patch, just rubbed a bit down with Brasso to see how it went, looking good.

Job will get done now, thanks again.
 
didn't aggie and what's-her-name clean brass with a mix of vinegar and something? just slopped it on and left it for 5 mins..
 
didn't aggie and what's-her-name clean brass with a mix of vinegar and something? just slopped it on and left it for 5 mins..

I didn't see that, but a bit of googling suggests soaking or rubbing with a mixture of white vinegar, salt and lemon juice or tomato/Worcester sauce or coca cola.

I see the getting the old lacquer off as the worst bit, then any number of options to polish up to a clean shine before spraying on the lacquer...almost sound like I know what I'm doing!
 
you can rub it with turf, coca-cola or parafinn and whiting if you want, but metal polish will be easier, quicker, better. Brasso liquid is a bit abrasive so will reduce out scratches, the cotton wadding like duraglit will put a brilliant shine on and remove tarnish.
 
you can rub it with turf, coca-cola or parafinn and whiting if you want, but metal polish will be easier, quicker, better. Brasso liquid is a bit abrasive so will reduce out scratches, the cotton wadding like duraglit will put a brilliant shine on and remove tarnish.

The bit I tested with Brasso wadding came up a treat, so would agree with you, though I need to get some paint stripper to get the old lacquer off before continuing. I also soaked part of the handle in white vinegar as a test and it did seem to clean up the brass which had had the lacquer weathered off, maybe it's worth doing that prior to metal polishing.

I can't finish this off until later in the week, though thank you very much for the tips and advice. I really did think these parts were done for, I'm pleased they can be cleaned up and should look good as new if I take care to do it right.
 

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