I like brass. I favor the gold end over silver or bronze. It provides heat and a pleasant patina and distinction to the furnishings in a room – plus brass is basic and can all the time be in model. I lately realized the best way to age brass… you realize the brilliant shiny yellow brass and switch it into aged brass in 5 minutes.
For this sideboard I painted, I needed so as to add aged brass drawer and label pulls, however the un-lacquered pulls I needed we’re on backorder till mid July. They did nevertheless have shiny brass in inventory.
I don’t thoughts shiny brass, however for the sideboard, I didn’t need the pulls to be too shiny. I used to be upset that I couldn’t get those I needed immediately, however then figured, I might purchase the brilliant brass and perform a little DIY magic on them to tone them down a bit.
How To Age Brass
Methods to Age Brass In 5 Minutes
Under are two strategies to age brass. The primary makes use of a product referred to as, Brass Ager.
The second technique, makes use of water and some family merchandise.
I’ve additionally included a solution to age brass so it takes on a verdigris colour.
Word: Earlier than you utilize both technique, you need to take away any lacquer on the brass first. You’ll discover ways to do that in Step 1 within the tutorial beneath.
provides wanted:
- Put on security googles and rubber gloves when ageing brass or any metallic.
I purchased the brass pulls, right here. I lately discovered them cheaper on Amazon: Brass Label Holder Pulls
- Brass Ager – I purchased it on Amazon
- “000” Metal Wool
- Container giant sufficient to carry merchandise you might be ageing
- Elective: Acetone
- Decide if the brass you wish to age has lacquer on it. If it does, that must be eliminated earlier than you may age the brass.
In case you are undecided if it has lacquer on it or not – dip it in some nail polish remover or acetone for a minute or two.
If it begins to appear like this… it has lacquer on it.
2. I purchased the can of acetone at Lowes. I poured it in a plastic container to soak the drawer pulls in. Place it subsequent to your kitchen sink in order that as quickly as you begin to see the end get all gummy, you may rinse it off underneath water. You will have to dip it in once more to ensure all of the lacquer is eliminated. It solely takes a minute.
The “000” metal wool doesn’t scratch the floor, it solely removes among the Brass Ager so you may obtain the precise look you want.
3. Pour the Brass Ager in a container and place the gadgets in for just a few seconds. Take away whenever you just like the ageing impact.
Completely different Shades of Aged Brass Can Be Achieved
1. Un-lacquered shiny brass.
2. Brass that was soaked with Brass Ager for 10 seconds.
3. To reduce the aged impact – rub metal wool over the brass whereas it’s nonetheless moist. Should you take away an excessive amount of – re-dip in Brass Ager and repeat rubbing with metal wool till you get the specified quantity of ageing.
Brass ageing TIP:
- Just remember to fill the container with sufficient Brass Ager to fully cowl the pulls to get even protection.
I eliminated simply sufficient of the aged colour to tone the brass down a bit, however not as shiny as they had been earlier than. They are going to naturally age and get darker any more, since I eliminated the lacquer.
How To Age Metallic in a Few Hours
I examine utilizing salt and vinegar, lemons and different options to age brass, however they do take a while and the outcomes weren’t as passable. If in case you have shiny polished brass in your house and wish to age it with out having to purchase the Brass Ager, do this technique. It might take just a few hours or in a single day to see outcomes, it can slowly change the brightness of the brass.
1. Take away the lacquer with acetone and rinse off, let dry. Calmly sand the piece with “ooo” metal wool.
2. Brush on a coat of white vinegar, let sit for 2 hours. If it’s not dry after 2 hours, anticipate the vinegar to dry, then proceed to Step 3.
3. Combine 16 ounces hydrogen peroxide, 2 ounces of white vinegar, and 1/2 tablespoon salt. Brush the liquid on the dry metallic. Await a response. If you just like the look, rinse the brass with water. Let dry.
Methods to Make the Brass Verdigris
1. Take away any lacquer or varnish utilizing the acetone (nail polish remover) then clear the piece. Dip the merchandise into boiling water and let it boil for just a few seconds. When the piece is cool sufficient to deal with, clear it by wiping it throughout with a clear dry fabric.
2. Soak your merchandise for 1 hour in a combination of vinegar and salt. Use 1 tbsp. of salt for every cup of vinegar
3. Bake the merchandise in a 450 F oven for 20 minutes.
4. Soak the new merchandise within the vinegar resolution till you might be happy with the colour.
5. Shake off the surplus vinegar and permit the brass to dry.
You may also use paint to age brass to appear like verdigris.
Extra Methods to Age Brass
- I even have a put up on how I up to date shiny brass lamps utilizing one other approach. You’ll find it on this put up: Transformation: Replace Brass Lamps
Methods to Make Labels for Brass Label Drawer Pulls
The subsequent step is to make the labels for the drawer pulls. Utilizing my phrase processor, I printed out the names for every label. I traced across the rectangular a part of the pull to determine the dimensions I would want. I set the font to Engravers MT -size to 22 pts. I printed out the names for every on white card inventory.
I lower a bit of acetate from the highest lid of a field of notecards to behave as clear protecting covers for every label. Then positioned each into the drawer pull.
To see the complete put up on how I remodeled this sideboard, you can find it right here, Furnishings Earlier than & After Makeover in Turquoise
One other Technique to Change the Shade of Brass Furnishings {Hardware}
If you wish to make brass appear like nickel or silver-toned, you will discover out how I did it on this put up: Spray Portray Brass/Metallic {Hardware}
