Q & A: How Do You Make New Hardware Look Old?

How Do You Make New Hardware Look Old?

Q:

I’m missing some hardware on an
old piece of furniture. I found some
replacements, but they’re way too
shiny and new-looking. What do I do?

A:

If your new hardware is solid brass,
solid steel,or plated with zinc, you’re in
luck.There’s an easily applied chemical
called Brass Ager ($3.75 for 8 oz.) that will darken
your metal to look like old, patinated
hardware. Traditional chemicals such
as ammonia and gun-bluing don’t
work on all three of these metals.

Brass Ager works in minutes and
can be used over and over again. Submerge
your hardware in Brass Ager
and remove it when it reaches the color
you want. Polish the hardware with a
white cotton cloth to add luster.

Brass Ager won’t work on brassplated
hardware.How do you tell what’s
what? A magnet will stick to brassplated
hardware,but not to solid brass.
If the hardware is coated with lacquer,
remove the lacquer with paint remover
before using Brass Ager.