Brunswick Black

[Pippa]

Hello! We're currently sorting out the rim locks on the doors of our late C19th house. Unfortunately it's not been possible to remove the layers of later paint they're gunged up with without taking off the original black finish as well. A search of this group suggests that Japan/Brunswick Black might be a good match for this - has anyone actually used this and managed to get a decent finish? There seem to be plenty of places selling it online, but I'm not sure what sort of brushes you need etc.

Almost completely unrelated picture because it's nicer to look at than a jar of varnish or a grotty rim lock...

 

[Cubist]

Hi Pippa and Welcome,

Before you simply re-paint them it may be an idea to try a couple of the old, but very simple, methods to remove the existing paint from door hardware. Both require removal of the hardware. The first uses a slow cooker filled with water in which the hardware is immersed and left to 'cook' for around 12 hours or overnight. This has the effect of loosening the layers of the paint and allowing them to be pealed or gently scoured off with a fine wire wool. You may need to repeat this stage depending on how many layers of paint have been applied. The second method uses baking soda and any old hob top pan - you'll need to throw the pan away after using this method as toxins may be left behind even after thorough cleaning - the method requires that the bottom of the pan is covered, liberally, with baking soda and sufficient water added to immerse the hardware, bring to a simmer and leave for 30-60 minutes. It should then be possible to peel the old paints off or remove them with a little agitation with fine wire wool. If you check progress fairly frequently these methods may allow you to retain the original paint,

Afterwards, allow the hardware to throughly drain and place them in a warm oven for about 30 minutes to allow evaporation of water from the interior and finally liberally spray the interior of the locks with some DW40, this will drive off any remains moisture and prevent rusting. Apply a little lubrication oil and refit the locks.

Be aware also that those old paints may be toxic and suitable precautions and care are needed.

Sadly, I can't comment on the paint you're considering as for similar jobs I've relied on simple black satins.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Cubist

 

[a twig]

For "blue" / black metal finishes I've used the method described in the first few minutes of this video here from 55 seconds to about 3 minutes:

 

[lee197960_0]

Hello! We're currently sorting out the rim locks on the doors of our late C19th house. Unfortunately it's not been possible to remove the layers of later paint they're gunged up with without taking off the original black finish as well. A search of this group suggests that Japan/Brunswick Black might be a good match for this - has anyone actually used this and managed to get a decent finish? There seem to be plenty of places selling it online, but I'm not sure what sort of brushes you need etc.

Almost completely unrelated picture because it's nicer to look at than a jar of varnish or a grotty rim lock...

Hello there Pippa, I've refurbished some original rim locks in our home and can vouch for the hot water method (although admittedly I did also use some paint stripper painted on with a small brush to get the more stubborn areas).

Regarding the painting I've had quite pleasing results using "Hammerite hammered finish" which was available in a aerosol.

Good luck

 

[Pippa]

Thanks for the welcome!

I think I was a bit ambiguous in my first post - we have stripped all the paint off the locks (using the simmering in soda method) but we lost the original finish doing this. Unfortunately the bare surface has a lot of scratches which show up bright silver against the darker metal - this seems to have happened during the manufacturing process as they don't correspond to any scratches in the layers of paint that we could see. Slightly weird, as we had some much cheaper rim latches at our old house that looked fine bare. So I think they need painting again - I might try the varnish, but the hammerite sounds like a good plan if I can't get it looking good, thanks!

 

[Feltwell]

Hammerite will give you a textured finish that is likely not the same as was there before. For a smooth finish you can get Hammerite aerosols in a smooth finish - I'm not a great fan of Hammerite in general though, unless the surface you are painting onto is corroded.

For a straight gloss black finish then acrylics work well in rattle cans, primer then top coat, like this

https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/lubricants-and-chemicals/paints-and-primers/simp15d-acrylic-gloss-black-spray-paint-500ml/p/ZT1036629X?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=pla+|+Lubricants & Chemicals&utm_term=ZT1036629X&utm_medium=pla_css_2&targetid=pla-394844304218&loc_physical_ms=1007151&dev=c&gclid=Cj0KCQiAlKmeBhCkARIsAHy7WVuZpWfpD9KY7pbI_Jouy_po2CQ7OKcB2kVu5rSiD3EKj72Hl9UuWN0aAiHbEALw_wcB

 

[Cubist]

Thanks for the welcome!

I think I was a bit ambiguous in my first post - we have stripped all the paint off the locks (using the simmering in soda method) but we lost the original finish doing this. Unfortunately the bare surface has a lot of scratches which show up bright silver against the darker metal - this seems to have happened during the manufacturing process as they don't correspond to any scratches in the layers of paint that we could see. Slightly weird, as we had some much cheaper rim latches at our old house that looked fine bare. So I think they need painting again - I might try the varnish, but the hammerite sounds like a good plan if I can't get it looking good, thanks!

Hi Pippa, if you have access to one of those little Dremel machines it can be a fairly simple task to burnish the metal casing to remove the fine scratches. This can also be done using various grades of wire wool and a dab of salt on a slightly damp cloth. Some patience and sore fingers perhaps but this may do the trick. Finish the surface with some beeswax to darken the colour slightly and provide a dull sheen.

 

[noj]

If you want a 'natural' rather than painted finish try treating one with a graphite paste (stuff sold for blackening grates). Apply with cloth/brush and then polish off with cloth, shoe brush, fine wire wool until you get bored.

You end up with something that looks like burnished gunmetal and all scratches vanish.

Well worth trying one before going down the repainting route

 

[Pippa]

Oo more options! Thanks! I've got several grades of wire wool, beeswax, and blacking so I'll have a play and see what happens.