Making new brass look old
 

Hello. My house was built in 1924 and has many brass switch and outlet
plates. I need to put a brass plate on a new outlet. Polished brass
just looks too new. Antique finished brass doesn't look old at all.
Is there a way to make a new brass plate look like its been in use for
80 years??

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Making new brass look old
 

"dave" wrote in message
ups.com...
Hello. My house was built in 1924 and has many brass switch and outlet
plates. I need to put a brass plate on a new outlet. Polished brass
just looks too new. Antique finished brass doesn't look old at all.
Is there a way to make a new brass plate look like its been in use for
80 years??

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.


If you like I could send my little kids over there for a few days....that
would do it.

Making new brass look old
 

I would polish the old stuff to make it look new.

Making new brass look old
 

I like the old look...

wrote:
I would polish the old stuff to make it look new.

Making new brass look old
 

Bury it in the flowerbed for a while.

Making new brass look old
 

"dave" wrote in message
ups.com...
Hello. My house was built in 1924 and has many brass switch and outlet
plates. I need to put a brass plate on a new outlet. Polished brass
just looks too new. Antique finished brass doesn't look old at all.
Is there a way to make a new brass plate look like its been in use for
80 years??

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.


The new polished brass has a coating of something on it to keep it from
tarnishing for years. I suppose if you used an abrasive polish or had a
polishing wheel with rouge, you may be able to remove the coating and the
plate should tarnish naturally like the originals do.

Making new brass look old
 

dave writes:

Is there a way to make a new brass plate look like its been in use for
80 years??

You don't need sucker-priced patina kits. Just pack it in slightly
dampened Miracle Gro for a few weeks. Rinse well, dry, buff and apply a
clear spray lacquer.

Making new brass look old
 

Richard J Kinch wrote:
dave writes:


Is there a way to make a new brass plate look like its been in use for
80 years??


You don't need sucker-priced patina kits. Just pack it in slightly
dampened Miracle Gro for a few weeks. Rinse well, dry, buff and apply a
clear spray lacquer.


Remove any lacquer from the plate with paste paint stripper, then wipe
it with "Liver of Sulfur" solution which you should be able to get at an
artist supply store.

http://www.dickblick.com/zz605/05/

Works for me....

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
"Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength."

Making new brass look old
 

Picasso would have kids pee on new statues to age them, worth a try.

"dave" wrote in message
ups.com...
Hello. My house was built in 1924 and has many brass switch and outlet
plates. I need to put a brass plate on a new outlet. Polished brass
just looks too new. Antique finished brass doesn't look old at all.
Is there a way to make a new brass plate look like its been in use for
80 years??

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Making new brass look old
 

On Mon, 17 Jul 2006 18:13:59 -0400, with neither quill nor qualm, Jeff
Wisnia quickly quoth:

Richard J Kinch wrote:
dave writes:


Is there a way to make a new brass plate look like its been in use for
80 years??


You don't need sucker-priced patina kits. Just pack it in slightly
dampened Miracle Gro for a few weeks. Rinse well, dry, buff and apply a
clear spray lacquer.

Remove any lacquer from the plate with paste paint stripper, then wipe
it with "Liver of Sulfur" solution which you should be able to get at an
artist supply store.

Strip it, dry it, pee on it (OK, use vinegar) for a lovely green tinge
of corrosion, then liver it to further darken it.

Respray with lacquer if wanted.


http://www.dickblick.com/zz605/05/

Works for me....

Ayup.



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Making new brass look old
 

dave wrote:
Hello. My house was built in 1924 and has many brass switch and outlet
plates. I need to put a brass plate on a new outlet. Polished brass
just looks too new. Antique finished brass doesn't look old at all.
Is there a way to make a new brass plate look like its been in use for
80 years??

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

I would use paint remover to take off the clear lacquer protective coat.
It will tarnish in no time. If brass plate, you may want to coat it
again so the brass doesn't pit - new brass plate is usually very thin.
If you are impatient, put it in a dish with a boiled egg :o)

Making new brass look old
 

dave wrote:
Hello. My house was built in 1924 and has many brass switch and outlet
plates. I need to put a brass plate on a new outlet. Polished brass
just looks too new. Antique finished brass doesn't look old at all.
Is there a way to make a new brass plate look like its been in use for
80 years??

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Ammonia:

http://www.whitechapel-ltd.com/tech/antique_brass.shtml

Making new brass look old
 

"Jeff" wrote in message
...
Picasso would have kids pee on new statues to age them, worth a try.


I tell my wife that I'm making a Picasso when I take a leak in the snow
while at the cabin. She's not impressed.