How to De-Lacquer Brass
Brass is usually lacquered to prevent it from oxidizing, but you can remove the lacquer without damaging the metal underneath.
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You Will Need
- Hot water
- Scouring pad
- Acetone
- Cotton ball
- Denatured alcohol
- Cloth
- Brush (optional)
- New coat of lacquer (optional)
Steps
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Exercise caution when working with lacquer. It is reactive and flammable.
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Step 1
Use hot water
Try using hot water to remove the lacquer from large objects.
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If the lacquer layer is thin, it may peel away. If it is thick, it may crack so you can pull off chunks after the object has cooled.
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Step 2
Use a scouring pad
Use a scouring pad to remove any remaining lacquer if the object is pure brass.
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Step 3
Apply a coating of acetone
Apply acetone to the object with a partially wetted cotton ball and then rinse it off with hot water, if hot water alone does not completely remove the lacquer.
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Apply acetone to small objects with a brush and then boil them in water.
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Step 4
Use denatured alcohol
Pour denatured alcohol on a cloth and rub it on the surface of large brass objects until the lacquer peels away, as an alternative.
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Step 5
Re-coat the object
Re-coat the object with lacquer or leave it unfinished so it can acquire a patina.
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Brass typically has a composition of 67 percent copper and 33 percent zinc, but it may vary.
