Hi!
So, I'm chugging right along with this Campaign night stand. I posted yesterday about what a great piece I found on CRAIGSLIST. Today I'm going to dive a little deeper into all the small details that make it such a wonderful piece.
Brass hardware is very hot right now, its a very versatile metal that goes with pretty much everything, and adds alot of texture and character to a room
This night stand came with beautiful brass hardware and ALL of it, no missing pieces. The other two furniture pieces we have, one having real brass hardware was missing a side plate that we replaced from an online vintage hardware vendor and it still has a missing handle bar. I bet you didn't even notice it in the picture yesterday!
 |
| Pinterest.com |
 |
| Pinterest.com |
This night stand came with beautiful brass hardware and ALL of it, no missing pieces. The other two furniture pieces we have, one having real brass hardware was missing a side plate that we replaced from an online vintage hardware vendor and it still has a missing handle bar. I bet you didn't even notice it in the picture yesterday!
With these older pieces you can almost guarantee that with the authentic brass, it will come with tarnish. This one just happened to come with ALOT of it.
Easy magnet test
Brass is a metal alloy usually composed of zinc and copper. If you put a magnet against the hardware and the magnet is attracted to it, you might have brass plated hardware, which is just a cheaper iron-based metal underneath a very fine sheet of brass covering. If, the magnet isn't attracted to it well than it is probably real brass.
Brass is a metal alloy usually composed of zinc and copper. If you put a magnet against the hardware and the magnet is attracted to it, you might have brass plated hardware, which is just a cheaper iron-based metal underneath a very fine sheet of brass covering. If, the magnet isn't attracted to it well than it is probably real brass.
There are multiple ways to clean the hardware. I researched online the best ways to clean brass hardware and here are the most favorable ones.
1. Au' Natural- Lemon juice and salt
2. Brasso- Cleaning and buffing chemical- $3-$5 at any hardware store
3.Bar keepers friend- polishing and cleaner-$2-$3
I started out with the lemon juice and salt way, #1 because they are both household items that I had on hand and #2 because I was so eager to start my project, and show all of you.
For every 1/2 squeezed lemon you'll want to add 1/4 cup salt, mix and it will produce a paste. I started by using an old rag and got no where. I had some steel wool on hand and that made a world of a difference.
*Suggestion: if you find that you have brass plated hardware, stay away from steel wool, the brass plate is very fine and fragile and steel wool is very abrasive that it will leave tiny scratches, if not, chip the plating
I'm really not sure what happened, but I think the salt and air did not mix well. All the hardware was splotchy and multicolored, I thought for sure that I ruined all this beautiful hardware.
After a late run to my local Cameron's Hardware I was able to find some of this stuff. Praying that it would be my saving grace I applied a dime size drop to each piece and rubbed/buffed it with a soft towel. Fingers crossed?!?!?
Ahhhhhh! (Celestial angels singing)
IT WORKED! Nice and shiny brass hardware.
I never made it to #3 but from what I hear it gets the job done. I think next time I'm at the hardware store I will probably pick some up for our next brass project!
I've starting the priming process of the whole piece, I am absolutely in love with Zinssers Primer!!! More on that tomorrow!
-Em
No comments:
Post a Comment