Brass Handle

Brass Handle

how do you restore badly damaged brass cabinet hardware?

we just bought a house and before cleaning all the cabinets i took off all the brass handles, backplates and drawer pulls and washed them in a solution of kitchen dishwashing soap, vinegar, baking soda and a little lemon juice because i thought those would'nt harm them. well they all turned an awful green gunk, i tried brasso did not help, any suggestions or do they all have to be replaced? at first i thought the vinegar caused it now i think it was the soap.

Pour ammonia into a container or bowl deep enough for the pulls. Soak them for up to an hour (check them often when they look mostly clean you can remove them. Do not let them sit in the ammonia longer then an hour or you may harm any engraved or raised edges. Then using a 000 steel wool and dish soap gently scrub them clean. Rinse well. Dry thoroughly with a towel. Avoid putting your fingers directly on the hardware. Polish with brass polish or car wax.

What's happened is you caused oxidation partially removing the protective lacquer coating which interacted with the goo and tarnish. So now you need to take them down to the brass. This is normally what happens after a time so don't fret that you caused a problem.

People will say never put ammonia on brass...but cabinet hardware is lacquered and this lacquer is compromised it's the best way to do this...just keep an eye on it.

Also before you do this test them with a magnet. If the magnet sticks they are brass plated. Go buy new ones. They aren't worth the hours of cleaning ahead of you.

Valhalla Cutlery Solid Brass Handle Balisong Butterfly Knife w/ S30v by Alan Harvey