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Cleaning copper door knobs and plates
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Posted by jms1051 (My Page) on Sun, Dec 2, 07 at 19:57
| I got new oak doors in my 1920's house and I want to reuse the hardware. I polished the old brass hinges. Now I'm trying to clean up the copper or copper coated door plates and knobs. They had paint on the edges so I used Citrus strip to remove the paint. Now I've been trying to clean them with Brasso with mixed results.
I either can't get all the tarnish off or I encounter silvery areas or dark gray areas that won't come off no matter how much I rub. Is there a better strategy than Brasso?
Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Cleaning copper door knobs and plates
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| "I encounter silvery areas or dark gray areas that won't come off no matter how much I rub." You may have copper plating and it is simply worn away.
The first test would be to see if a magnet sticks. |
RE: Cleaning copper door knobs and plates
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| If what you have is more than copper plating, you might try to clean it with clear ammonia full strength. This is harsh and corrosive. Wear rubber gloves, use it sparingly, and avoid breathing in the fumes. |
RE: Cleaning copper door knobs and plates
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| Thanks for the responses. A magnet sticks which I believe tells me that it's not all copper. I need to reuse them with my doors so I'll proceed carefully. Thanks! |
RE: Cleaning copper door knobs and plates
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| Maybe you could do a gold leaf on them. Craft stores sell gold leaf. |
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