If you like the allure of antique hardware, your home will give off a traditional charm. But your antique hardware needs a little care and attention. Your doorknobs, hinges, and other hardware get tarnished and lose their luster and beauty. No worries! You can restore it yourself at home. Let's delve a bit deeper into how to care for and rejuvenate your hardware.
- Dismantle them
Use a screwdriver or any other tool for this. Don't hurry because your hardware may have many small components. Ensure you don't lose them, so keep track of these little gems. These components may be fragile and can break easily. Therefore, in order to prevent breaking the little components, this step takes patience and care.
- Wiping the outside
You will notice filth, grease, or grime on the surface of the antique hardware now that you have removed it. Cleaning them is therefore essential. Next, place your gear in a basin with warm water and dish soap mixture. Allocate fifteen to twenty minutes for it. After soaking, remove any remaining filth with a gentle brush or cloth.
- Check for Lacquer
You might know about the protective layer of lacquer. This layer protects your favorite hardware from harsh weather and moisture. The question is whether your hardware has a layer of lacquer or not. Here's what you can do. Put some acetone or nail polish remover on your brass hardware and rub it. If a layer of lacquer comes off, then you have to get it off for the next step of restoration. For this, immerse it in a lacquer thinner and wait 15 to 20 minutes. Then, rub it with a scrub.
- Remove tarnish
Do you like your hardware in old or vintage looks? Or do you want it shiny? It depends on your taste. If you are not a great fan of it, mix baking soda and vinegar or lemon juice. Apply this paste to get rid of the tarnish.
- Polish the Brass
You have to polish your vintage brass hardware to maintain its shiny look. For this, use a brass polish and apply it to the hardware. For DIY polish, mix equal parts vinegar, salt, and flour. Use circular motion to apply the polish. Finally, wipe it with a clean cloth to finish polishing.
- Reapply lacquer
It is purely optional to apply lacquer. But applying lacquer will protect your hardware from tarnishing. So, apply a thin layer of lacquer to your hardware.
- Reinstall
Now, your hardware is back to its pristine state. Now, it's time to put it back into its right place. Carefully, reinstall it with all the tiny parts.
Conclusion
Restoring your antique hardware is satisfying and brings back its glory. It also adds to the value of your living spaces. Why ignore your hardware when you can restore it? Only a little effort can work wonders.
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