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Monday, June 30, 2014

UN-DOING WHAT I DID {HOW TO STRIP PAINT FROM BRASS}


Hey there friends!  I feel like things are finally getting back to some level of normal around here, even in the midst of summer craziness.  Thanks for sticking with me through vacation, guest posts, & link parties...  I'm ready to get back to some project talk.  Does that sound o.k.?

So...several years ago before brass was back in style, I picked up this fantastic tray for a few dollars at a thrift store, and promptly spray painted it black.  Don't mind the dust, I pulled it out of storage.


Fast forward a few years to today when brass is all the rage again, and I've seen that tray on some popular home decor sites for a pretty penny.  So what's a girl to do who has realized the error of her ways? After confirming with my dad-who-knows-everything that it would be ok, I decided to strip the paint off. 

It couldn't have been easier!  I used this:



and within just a few minutes the paint was already bubbling up, ready to come off.  And just FYI, don't try spreading stripper around on your piece with a foam brush.  It will eat your brush in about two seconds, trust me.  Use a super cheap chip or regular bristle brush.



When the paint was all bubbly and loose, I used the hose to rinse it while I rubbed lightly with a piece of very fine steel wool, just to get all of the nooks and crannies clean.

Here it is all cleaned off!  Now I remember why I painted it...it wasn't in the best condition.



I didn't think that it would completely shine up, but I've said it before and I'll tell you again, BAR KEEPER'S FRIEND is awesome for brass!  With some water and a light scrub it even cleaned off the spots that I thought were permanently discolored. 



Here's the beauty all cleaned up: 




So shiny!



It's nice to know that sometimes mistakes can be reversed, and maybe the result can be even better than the original!




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Would you like to comment?

  1. Wow it came out great Jennifer!!!! Even the stains came out - that in amazing. BKF is such a good product. I used it to spruce up our grille last night after dinner (just couldn't bear to go in - it was such a nice night on the deck) and it looks 100x better. I'll have to try it on brass.

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  2. oooh this is good to know! i have a carl jere (we think) boat i got at the flea market but someone painted it and i want it brass again. i may try this!

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  3. Great tip, it turned out fantastic! I always forget to pick some up, I still haven't tried it!

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  4. I ADORE Bar Keepers Friend. I use it for so many things around the house! The tray looks wonderful - can't believe how beautifully it shined up!

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  5. I love this tray and I use Bar Keepers Friend too on all my brass. It really is a gem. That tray was so worth cleaning up, it looks amazing on your coffee table.

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  6. I love Bar keepers friend too for brass and glad you got the tray all brassy again since it is gorgeous!

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  7. Oh, it looks amazing! So shiny, there's a reflection! Great job!

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  8. I have that same tray. Love it. I use Barkeepers Friend, too. Pretty styling!

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  9. YAY!!! I have seen some beautiful chandeliers painted and I always wonder if I could strip them back to their former glory! The tray is gorgeous!!!! xo, Emily

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  10. Wow! Who knew? Great work - it is beautiful!

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  11. Two great tips! I had no idea you could use stripper on brass or that bar keeper's friend cleans it up so nicely. Awesome!

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  12. It turned out great! I have the same tray and while it doesn't need to be striped, it needs a good polish. I will have to try bar keeper's friend. P.S. I think my dad knows everything too :)

    jennifer@decoratingdelirium.com

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  13. I am so happy. I have a brass tea cart (it looks like a double decker of your tray) that I painted brushed nickel and now I want the brass back. Now I have the formula thanks to you

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  14. That is such a great tip! I've heard of Citristrip but haven't tried it yet. Do you know if it removes stain and/or poly? I just refinished my huge dining table and had a heck of a time getting the old finish and stain off. Thanks Jennifer :)

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  15. Thanks for the info....I have a brass tray just like your and it certainly needs some TLC....now I know what product to use.....Happy 4th.

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  16. I would never have thought to try and strip the paint off. What a great job. It looks fantastic!

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  17. That looks fantastic! I liked it in black and I love it in brass. That piece is a versatile "keeper". Thanks for the product tips too 😊

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  18. It looks fab!! I have to get my hands on some of that Bar Keeper's Friend!

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  19. Just gorgeous Jennifer! Bar keepers friend is a super cleaner! Just like Castillo soap. It pretty much works for everything!

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