iron monger / shutter hinges

[atlasfever]

Hello,

Any suggestions for the following:

I have 6 georgian windows with the built in shutters. I have removed them all to be refurbished, and I now need to focus on the hinges. I think they are all brass, and original. I am looking for suggestions on who can refurbish the hinges as there are layer of paint and, looking terrible and due to the paint, don't fully open, etc.

Recommendations?
Thanks

 

[atlasfever]

Sorry: Based in central London, but would likely need to find someone further out.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Oh, you really don't need a restorer for this, it's a ten minute job. Get some thick chemical protecting gloves and some paint stripper online or wherever - Nitromors might do. Fill a jar with it. Bung the hinges in. Leave 10 mins. Rinse under the tap scrubbing with a worn out green backed sponge scourer ( bit of abrasion but not too much) Job done.

 

[atlasfever]

Really?

But, once you strip the paint off with the chemical, and use a pad to scrub, doesn't something like this have to be buffed? or polished?
I assume sandblasted was safer b/c no chemicals to ruin the material. I really know nothing about any of this, so maybe brass doesn't get damaged
Hmmm.

 

[LadyArowana]

A new green sponge backed thing will probably leave scratches, so you want one that is well past it's best or better still get something like a facial cleansing pad that is a bit more forgiving. If I was doing it I would probably start with a toothbrush, they are great for getting into nooks and crannies if the paint has already been softened up with some stripper.

 

[plasticpigeon]

I would not use nitromorrs as the new formula is now thankfully safer than before but doesn't work at all I have had great success with peelaway 7, a non caustic poultice. Cover the hinge with the goo, put it in a bag, and a couple of day later the paint can be washed off. If it doesn't all come off do it again, it will definitely be off with 2 applications. Chemical stripping is better than blasting as the brass will probably get pock marked by blasting.

 

[Lime]

IME there are two home-brew methods to remove paint etc from hinges which I have used dozens of times.
The first is heat. This also has the benefit of releasing/freeing seized hinges.
You can heat them up with a blow torch until the paint is burnt all away and then plunge them into water.
Brush off paint with washing up brush. Repeat if necessary.
With iron or steel you can heat them until cherry red but brass will melt so do not heat too intensively, just enough to burn off the paint.
Alternatively use a red ring (if your cooker has one) or a gas flame.
DO NOT USE ANY ABRASIVE ON BRASS. Even the plastic kitchen scourers will scratch it.
Use a metal polish and a cotton cloth combined with elbow grease.
(Silver dip will also clean brass)

The second is to boil the hinge in a small quantity of water (enough to cover the hinge) and add old style dish washer powder (not the type with a red ball).
Boil until the paint loosens, keep topped up to just cover the hinges.
Wash with cold water and brush off the paint using washing up liquid plus washing powder in the sink.
repeat boil with fresh water and powder to remove any little bits of paint remaining.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Lots of ways. Pity they ruined Nitromors.

Once the brass has had its paint taken off it will be dull and tarnished. Brasso brightens it up very quickly and easily, but if you want to be more conservation minded with your brass then use the professional restorer's polish. I'm afraid it's a very slow and laborious process but it's used in museums as once you've done your brass with this the bright finish stays. We did our servants' bells years ago with the product in the link and they're still just as blindingly bright as when they were done. I don't know about forever, but certainly years. Whereas a Brasso polished item will need doing again in 6 months. However if you like it a bit tarnished then Brasso is fine every couple of years.


http://www.briliant.biz/products/Antique-3-Pack-Brass-Polishing-Kit-.html

It's a 3 stage process with clear instructions on the tins.

 

[LadyArowana]

I'm guessing that it's the last part of the 3 part process that makes the big difference, in that the renaissance wax stops the air getting to the newly cleaned surface, and that if you brassoed and waxed results might be the same. No experience though, and no items with which to perform a controlled experiment.

 

[Keithj]

Certainly, Brasso brings up a good shine (as on my mum's heritage candlesticks that I inherited), but it dulls and discolours quickly.
Choices are weekly polishing (what? with all this work to do?) or a coating of something appropriate. I won't tell you what I use because I'm sure some will disapprove.

 

[Penners]

I assume sandblasted was safer b/c no chemicals to ruin the material

Absolutely not. Sandblasting will pit the surface of the brass, and you'll never be able to polish it to a shine again.

Personally I'd go with Lime's heating suggestion, then cloth and Brasso.

 

[Keith Bowman]

There is a product called 'Shiny sinks' which cleans brass almost as well as Brasso but is said to be less less abrasive: I've been told it contains a 'reducing agent'. (Whoever or whatever that is!)

 

[Penners]

'reducing agent'. (Whoever or whatever that is!)

Ah, that'll be 0018, who's just been issued with a licence to slim.