How to Get Rid of Black Spots on Brass
https://www.nytimes.com/1983/02/03/garden/q-a-206125.html
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February 3, 1983
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Q. I have several brass floor lamps that have dark spots. Does this mean the brass coating has worn away, and is there any way to remove the dark spots?
A. You are apparently not certain that the metal is solid brass. If it is solid brass, then there is no ''brass coating'' to wear off. If the metal is plated, then the plating could be wearing off. One way to test for this is to scratch the metal with a knife in an inconspicuous spot. If it is bright yellow underneath, it is probably solid brass; if it looks silvery or some color other than brass, then the metal is plated.
If plating is wearing off, little can be done except try cleaning with a solvent such as dry-cleaning fluid. You can also try rubbing lightly with a fine abrasive pad.
If the dark spots do not come off, the metal needs replating. Solid brass can be cleaned with a metal polish. Many brass objects have a lacquer coating that will have to be removed first with lacquer thinner or stripper. After polishing, apply a fresh coat of lacquer to deter tarnish.
Q. I use candles a lot and one recently burned down too far, causing an accumulation of red dye and candle wax on a night table. Is there any way to clean it?
A. Without knowing the finish, it is difficult to be specific. The first thing I would do is cover the melted wax with ice wrapped in a towel or cloth. This should make it brittle enough so it will lift off or scrape off; use a plastic scraper to avoid scratching the finish.
If red dye remains, try wiping with a cloth dipped in paint thinner, rubbing from the fringes of the stain to the center to avoid spreading it.
Keep turning or changing the rag frequently to avoid smearing. Use wax or polish to restore luster.
Q. New inside doors were stained to match others in the house. However, they lack the sheen the old doors had. How can this be remedied with something that can be applied with a rag?
A. A wood stain is not a finish; it is more like a dye that colors the wood. That is why the doors are dull. To give them a gloss or sheen you have to apply a surface coating over the stain. Varnish, probably the most practical, comes in either high gloss or semigloss.
As for putting it on with a rag, it can be done, but I don't advise it since it is too hard to get a uniform finish. If you don't like to work with a brush, why not try using a flat painting pad?
Q. I plan to cover some walls with bookshelves. To keep expenses down, can I use unpainted lumber for the shelves and support each shelf on cinder blocks?
A. Your plan should work well. Space the blocks no more than 24 to 30 inches apart to keep the shelves from sagging. Also, if you go up the full height you should fasten the upper shelves to the wall; otherwise someone may pull the whole thing down on himself.
Questions about home repair problems should be addressed to Home Improvement Department, The New York Times, 229 West 43d Street, New York, N.Y. 10036. Questions of general interest will be answered in this column, but unpublished letters cannot be answered individually.
How to Get Rid of Black Spots on Brass
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/1983/02/03/garden/q-a-206125.html