Refinish Brass Door Fixtures

Tools:

throwcloth
bucket
old metal cans
old denim pants
disposable paint brush
wire brush
screwdriver
dental instruments used for scraping
nail file
emery board
utility knife
fine scrubber
coarse scrubbing pads
paper towels and rag
rubber gloves and safety glasses
liquid paint stripper and neutralizing after wash

1. First remove the doorknob. If the knob has been painted over, you may need to use a dental pick to remove paint from the screws so you can loosen them and remove the knob (figure A).

2. Use a utility knife to break the paint seam around the plate (figure B), remove the screws and pry the plate off the door. Remove the plates from both sides of the door.

3. Put on protective rubber gloves and the safety glasses. Paint a heavy coat of paint stripper on knobs and plates using a disposable paintbrush (figure C). The stripper will ruin the brush, so use a brush you can afford to throw away. Place the pieces in an old metal can and allow the stripper to work for about 15 minutes.

4. Start removing paint with an emery board, scrubbing pads and wire brush (figure D). Reapply stripper and wait another 15 minutes if necessary, then repeat.

5. Once you're finished with the chemical stripper, paint the pieces with after wash to neutralize the stripper.

6. Polish the pieces with cloths cut from old denim jeans.

7. Replace the hardware using original screws (figure E).