Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunrise Point
Can anyone recommend a local place that would refinish and lacquer brass cabinet knobs? I love my cabinet knobs, but after 18 years they are very tarnished.
I have been online looking for replacement knobs and started to wonder if it would be a lot less expensive to have them refinished.
Has anyone ever done this themselves? If so, any suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks!
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"Pot-metal" is most likely Zinc, sold as
Zamack (Also seen as
Zamac or
Zamak).
Pot-metal knobs don't tarnish readily: if yours are "real brass", the way to find out is to remove one, and press the unseen side against a grinding wheel. Online, a new grinder will set you back $50 or less.
(Yes, you could use a rock instead).
A "brassy" color indicates real brass. A "silvery" color showing through the brass color would be everything else—and not worth messing with—go ahead and buy new knobs.
Real brass actually brightens up really well with a few minutes on a
fine wire wheel. (The below example is a
medium wire wheel, which will work a little faster).
Individual wires will fly off, so wear eye protection—and a shirt!
If you require a higher luster, then go to a polishing wheel, and use the
white polishing compound. (A huge stick of the stuff will cost only $3—the polishing wheel itself may cost a little more).
Pot-metal knobs also can be cleaned with a wire wheel, but will likely need resurfacing or repainting.