3 methods of antiqueing new hardware,
brass or steel
brass or steel
Sometimes hardware that is new and shiny doesn't look just right on
an antique piece of furniture. Here are some ways to match the look
and finish of brass or steel hardware to the look of the furniture
that they are installed on.
First, the protective coating on brass hardware needs to be
removed. Usually this is a lacquer coating and can be removed by
soaking the hardware in lacquer thinner. A bit of steel wool can be
used to remove stubborn coatings after soaking in thinner.
There are 3 methods to age brass; Darkening, fuming and flaming.
Darkening solution - Use a metal darkening solution mixed with water
according to directions and place hardware in the solution for
several minutes. Keep a close watch and when the desired shade is
reached, remove and rinse with clean water to stop the process.
Fuming - Another method uses Household Ammonia fumes to age and
darken the brass. Just suspend the hardware above the ammonia
liquid and monitor the progress as it darkens. This is slower than the
darkening solution. Once the shade is reached that you desire, remove
hardware from the container. A glass jar works well to hold the
Ammonia with a top or aluminum foil to keep fumes inside.
Flaming - after the above methods, a flame can be used to tone the
darkened metal and steel wool can be used to remove the darkening
of raised areas or edges to highlight the color change.
If at any time you are dissatisfied with the result of the above
methods, just buff back to bare brass and try it over again.
Zinc plated hardware - Plain zinc plated hardware can be made to
look black and antique by soaking in muratic acid to remove the zinc
plating and then using a propane torch to heat up to red and let
cool. Oil can also be sprayed on the metal and heated again to give a
deeper black look. With a little distressing, hammering, etc the new
zinc plated hinge, etc. will look old and from an earlier period.
an antique piece of furniture. Here are some ways to match the look
and finish of brass or steel hardware to the look of the furniture
that they are installed on.
First, the protective coating on brass hardware needs to be
removed. Usually this is a lacquer coating and can be removed by
soaking the hardware in lacquer thinner. A bit of steel wool can be
used to remove stubborn coatings after soaking in thinner.
There are 3 methods to age brass; Darkening, fuming and flaming.
Darkening solution - Use a metal darkening solution mixed with water
according to directions and place hardware in the solution for
several minutes. Keep a close watch and when the desired shade is
reached, remove and rinse with clean water to stop the process.
Fuming - Another method uses Household Ammonia fumes to age and
darken the brass. Just suspend the hardware above the ammonia
liquid and monitor the progress as it darkens. This is slower than the
darkening solution. Once the shade is reached that you desire, remove
hardware from the container. A glass jar works well to hold the
Ammonia with a top or aluminum foil to keep fumes inside.
Flaming - after the above methods, a flame can be used to tone the
darkened metal and steel wool can be used to remove the darkening
of raised areas or edges to highlight the color change.
If at any time you are dissatisfied with the result of the above
methods, just buff back to bare brass and try it over again.
Zinc plated hardware - Plain zinc plated hardware can be made to
look black and antique by soaking in muratic acid to remove the zinc
plating and then using a propane torch to heat up to red and let
cool. Oil can also be sprayed on the metal and heated again to give a
deeper black look. With a little distressing, hammering, etc the new
zinc plated hinge, etc. will look old and from an earlier period.
Shenandoah Antique Restoration
Antiqueing New Hardware
Antiqueing New Hardware