How to Put a Bronze Finish on Brass

Clean the brass fixture to remove any residue or debris. Wipe crevices and corners with a small cotton swab or folded paper towel.

Sand the brass with rough grit sandpaper made for metal surfaces. Clean the fixture with a damp towel to remove all debris from sanding. Ensure the piece is clean and dry.

Place the item on a drop cloth or protective piece of cardboard. Shake the bottle of black spray paint for about 30 seconds. Press down on the nozzle and hold it about 6 inches from the surface. Wave the spray paint slowly back and forth along the item's surface. Add a light coat of paint; do not overspray or paint will drip. Allow to dry between 30 minutes and one hour. Spray again until the item is solid black.

Dampen a sea sponge with water. Squeeze a small amount of metallic bronze paint onto a paint tray. Dab the sponge into the paint tray and then onto the item's surface. Cover all the black paint and allow to dry for about two hours.

Mix together one part clear glaze and one part black acrylic paint. Dab it onto the bronze surface with a terry towel to create an antique finish. Allow the stain to naturally fall into cracks and crevices. The glaze mixture will give additional depth and dimension to the metallic paint.

Allow to dry between one to two hours. Brush on a coat of clear water-based polyurethane if the item will be used in a high traffic area.