steel hardwear restore

[artfuliron]

Restoring an old 40's kitchen cabinet and was looking for a quick way to clean up the hinges, catches etc. I have been using the wire wheel method and thought their must be an easier way.. I remeber using coke to brighten up fish hooks.
Anyone with any tricks of the trade? Artfuliron.

[hap97]

Here is the method I use...

• Use a caustic soda bath. BUT USE CAUTION
• Granular caustic soda is available from hardware stores, mix in a 5l or 20l plastic drum. Proportions by experiment. KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN
• Tie components on tiewire and suspend in mixture for a few hours
• All the paint will be softened and may fall off.
• Wash well with a hose outside. USE SAFETY GOGGLES
• Finish in the laundry tub using soapy steel wool.
• All paint will be removed and if brass will look good.
• If steel, maybe spray paint with black or Machine Grey. Or gold to pretend a brass finish.
• Brass items can be antiqued using an antiquing product. ( I find leadlighting black patina acid the best.)

Hap

[echnidna]

and all alumininium, zinc and galvanising will dissolve