How to Remove Spray Paint From Brass

How to remove spray paint from brass and restore it to its original beauty!

First, I just want to say thank you for the kind words on last week's secondhand furniture makeover. I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out, but it quickly become a popular project.

Have you ever been out thrifting and come across painted brass decor, or found a piece of secondhand furniture with painted original brass hardware?

I used to think that brass was ruined once painted, but did you know you can easily remove spray paint from brass?

Unfortunately, I found this out the hard way, but I'm so glad I did.

A few months ago, I found a lot of brass cranes and deer at an out-of-state online auction. The auction was pretty far away, so previewing the items beforehand wasn't an option. I had to take my chances and bid without inspecting any item.

What could possibly be wrong with brass figurines though?

The problem was they were all painted in various shades of gold spray paint! Who does that?

Knowing what I know now and looking back at the auction pictures, I can clearly tell that they were painted, but at the time, the thought never crossed my mind. Lesson learned.

At first glance and from far away they don't look too bad. Up close it's easy to see paint drips, an uneven finish, and that the original labels were painted over.

HOW TO TELL IF AN OBJECT IS SOLID BRASS OR BRASS PLATED?

Solid brass does not have magnetic properties. If a magnet sticks to brass then it is more than likely another metal such as steel or cast iron. You can also do a scratch test on brass. Lightly scratch the surface and if you see shiny yellow under the surface then it's solid brass. If you see silver then the item is brass plated.

DOES PAINT STRIPPER RUIN BRASS?

Solid brass can be cleaned with paint remover or stripper without damaging the brass. Some strippers are stronger and harsher than others, so it's important to do a test spot first.

SUPPLIES NEEDED TO REMOVE SPRAY PAINT FROM BRASS

- Citristrip - A great paint stripper that doesn't have a strong harsh smell and can be used indoors. (I highly suggest this project be completed outside)

- Mineral Spirits

- Inexpensive chip brush - Be sure to use a chip brush and not a foam brush.

- Small Container - An old food container, disposable cup, or mason jar will work too.

- Plastic wrap

- Toothbrush - A hard or medium bristle toothbrush will work best.

- Disposable chemical-resistant gloves - I use these black latex-free gloves.

- Shop towels/rags - I LOVE these blue lint-free towels and use them for all my furniture and DIY projects.

- Paper towels

- Cardboard or an old towel - You'll want to use something large enough to put down to protect your work surface.

This isn't going to be a dramatic before and after since the brass I was cleaning was spray painted various shades of gold. You'll just have to trust the pictures and process, okay?

supplies needed to remove paint from brass

HOW TO REMOVE SPRAY PAINT FROM BRASS

STEP ONE: Prep your work surface and supplies

Lay down cardboard, brown paper, or an old towel, and gather all your supplies. Pour a generous amount of Citristrip (or however much you think you'll need for your project) into a small container.

Citristrip for removing paint from brass

STEP TWO: APPLY CITRISTRIP

With gloves on, coat your item with a very generous amount of Citristrip. The more the better, so don't be afraid to really coat and layer your item. One of the reasons why I love Citristrip is that it has a thick gel-like consistency, which allows it to stick well to almost any surface.

STEP THREE: COVER ITEMS WITH PLASTIC WRAP

Once all your items are covered in a thick coat of Citristrip, wrap each item in plastic wrap. Let sit for about an hour or until you start to see the old paint peel or melt away.

You may feel like you don't need to use plastic wrap, but it will keep the Citristrip from drying out while it's working on loosening and breaking down the layers of paint.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU LEAVE THE CITRISTRIP ON TOO LONG?

Citristrip will continue to work and remove paint and varnish for up to 24 hours. It's best to keep Citristrip covered with plastic wrap while it's working to break down any old finish. If it's left uncovered, it can dry, produce a thick build-up that's harder to remove, and possibly damage what you are stripping. If this occurs, you can add another layer of Citristrip or remove the dried Ctristrip with Mineral Spirits.

STEP FOUR: REMOVE PLASTIC WRAP AND WIPE CLEAN

This step is messy, so make sure you still have your gloves on and plenty of paper towels handy.

Remove the plastic wrap from each item, gently scrub the crevices, corners, and intricate details with an old toothbrush then wipe off as much of the Citristrip as you can.

The Ctristrip/spray paint mixture will be thick, gummy, and super messy but easy to remove. If you are working with a flat surface you can also use a plastic paint scraper to remove the residue.

STEP FIVE: CLEAN WITH MINERAL SPIRITS

Now that the majority of the Citristrip and old paint has been wiped off it's time to remove the last of any remaining residue with Mineral Spirits.

ARE THERE SUBSTITUTES FOR MINERAL SPIRITS?

There are a few substitutes for Mineral Spirits, but the best ones to use on brass are denatured alcohol or vinegar. If using vinegar, you'll need to put some in a bowl, microwave for about 30 seconds then generously apply over the Citristrip. Wait 15 minutes then scrap or wipe clean with a nonabrasive sponge or towel.

Personally, I prefer to use microfiber cleaning towels for cleaning projects I'm working on. We buy them in a large bulk roll and I just tear off what I need. They're thin and durable, which makes them perfect for scrubbing and getting into smaller areas without falling apart like paper towels. Added bonus: they can also be washed and reused!

I simply poured a generous amount of mineral spirits onto my cleaning towel then thoroughly cleaned each brass piece until all the old paint and Citristrip was removed. The mineral spirits will also remove any small amounts of remaining old paint.

HOW TO CLEAN AND POLISH BRASS?

I prefer brass that shows signs of age and patina. If clean and shiny brass is desired then Brasso can be used to polish brass after the paint has been removed. Lemon juice and baking soda can also be combined to make a paste. Apply the paste with a nonabrasive cloth or sponge and scrub until polished.

It's hard to tell in the pictures, but all the original character and patina on the brass cranes and deer were revealed and they cleaned up even better than I imagined!