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Substances in blast cleaning materials. Where copper slag is used, the surface shall be finished by a final clean-up blast using ilmenite or other approved material to remove traces of copper slag left on the surface. Most general-purpose cleaning solutions will adequately clean crystal, glass and clear plastic knobs and handles. However, use caution to avoid those that contain solvents that can damage your hardware. Simply spray a bit of the solution onto surfaces, let them soak for a minute or two and then dry and polish them vigorously with a clean cloth.

• 1 Fix a Pushbutton Doorknob
• 2 Paint a Security Screen Door
• 3 Repaint Brass Doorknobs
• 4 Painting Over Porcelain Door Knobs

Aged and antique brass doorknobs offer a timeless appeal and are well-suited to both historic restoration and more modern projects. While new brass features a golden, shiny finish, this material oxidizes over time, resulting in a dull brown appearance. Rather than throwing out old brass doorknobs, remove tarnish, paint and other contaminants to restore their original shine and luster.

1

Remove the doorknob from the door. Use a screwdriver to remove all fasteners, then pull the two halves of the doorknob away from the surface of the store. Set fasteners aside for reuse.

2

Fill a glass jar with paint or varnish remover. Place the doorknob gently into the jar and seal it. Allow the doorknob to remain in the jar for a few hours so that any paint can be removed.

3

Take the doorknob out of the jar. Add a small amount of dish detergent to a wet rag and use the rag to wipe away paint and dirt from the knob. Scrub with a toothbrush to loosen stubborn paint or other deposits.

4

Apply a small amount of commercial brass cleaner to a rag. Wipe the doorknob with the rag to remove any remaining tarnish or contaminants.

5

Scrub the doorknob with very fine steel wool to loosen stubborn deposits. Dip the knob in wet soapy water, then continue scrubbing until all tarnish and other deposits have been removed.

6

Wipe the doorknob with a rag to dry it and give it a shiny, polished look. Reinforced soil engineering advances in research and practice pdf.

Things You Will Need

• Screwdriver
• Glass jar
• Paint- or varnish-removal product
• Dish detergent
• Toothbrush
• Rags
• Commercial brass cleaner
• Fine steel wool
• Salt
• Flour
• White vinegar

Tips

• You can also make your own homemade brass cleaner. Mix a small amount of flour, salt and vinegar in a bowl, and apply this mixture to your brass doorknobs using a soft, damp clothe to remove tough tarnish or other deposits.
• Treat brass hardware with paste wax or lemon oil once a month to prevent tarnishing and maintain the material's natural shine.

Warning

• Work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area when handling paint- or varnish-removal products.

About the Author

Emily Beach works in the commercial construction industry in Maryland. She received her LEED accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2008 and is in the process of working towards an Architectural Hardware Consultant certification from the Door and Hardware Institute. She received a bachelor's degree in economics and management from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland.